Response and recovery efforts continue after the March 6 fire in downtown Bowmanville, with local agencies coordinating support and donations for displaced residents.
According to Durham Region’s Emergency Social Services Team, they continue to support displaced residents with needs and pathways to income and employment support and longer-term housing.
Local partners and organizations are assisting with the collection and distribution of monetary and gift card donations. The primary lead is the Salvation Army Bowmanville. As there has been an outpouring of community support, officials ask that the community be patient with volunteers at the Salvation Army, who are working to receive and channel donations.
At this time, officials from the Salvation Army, the Region of Durham, and the Red Cross have stated that they are not able to receive physical donations, as they are difficult to manage due to the high volume of donations, the needs of residents, and the nature of the current temporary accommodations. Food donations pose risks with food safety. Officials note that displaced residents have access to meals, vouchers, and gift cards, and have direct support to request specific items they need.
Officials emphasize that the best way to help is through monetary or gift card donations. This will ensure donations are distributed to affected residents equitably, to support their individual needs. Volunteers are not able to manage the high volume of physical donations at this time.
If you are a local restaurant that would like to provide vouchers for meals, please contact the Clarington Board of Trade for information on how to do so.
According to Clarington officials, daily updates will continue to be shared with the community, including information about ways to support displaced individuals as they navigate the path forward, including specifics about what is needed most.
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