Algoma Public Health (APH) is permanently closing the door on its community closet program effective Dec. 31.
APH spokesperson Leo Vecchio tells SooToday that the community closet program - which has accepted clothing donations from the public in order to distribute clothing to those in need - failed to meet the requirements of new Ontario public health standards, as laid out by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in 2018.
“Public health uses ‘the public health approach’ and focuses on understanding risk and protective factors of entire populations and communities, and supporting a community closet with staff and volunteer resources does not fall under this mandate,” said Vecchio. “As we exit taking donations, we have redirected people to donate their gently used clothing to other organizations in the community.”
The health unit is advising the public to donate clothing to the following local organizations:
Dragonfly Shop
454 Queen Street
(705) 450-0449
St. Vincent’s Place
222 Albert Street East
(705) 541-9478
Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen Community Centre
172 James Street
(705) 942-2694
Kidney Clothes
424 Pim St. Unit B
(705) 945-1030
Algoma Pregnancy Centre
177 McDougald Street
(705) 759-9100
Sault Ste. Marie Helping Hands
146 Gore Street
(705) 943-8363