Second Basic Needs Round-Up launched to help more Calgarians facing poverty

CALGARY — A Calgary collection drive created last year because of the pandemic will go again this year.

The Basic Needs Round-Up has Stampede volunteers teaming up with the United Way and The Women in Need Society (WINS).

Yvette Biggs with the United Way says the idea is to help vulnerable Calgarians meet their most basic needs.

“We know that the pandemic is continuing to have a major impact on people in Calgary, especially on those living on low income. Right now, 189,000 Calgarians are currently living in poverty and what’s really striking is that 71,000 of those are new; new living in poverty, so those are new numbers that are coming to us,” said Biggs.

The Round-Up includes a drive-through drop off at the Ikea parking lot on June 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Anyone wanting to have their donations picked up can now register.

Organizers are asking for everything from personal hygiene items and diapers to cleaning supplies and gift cards.

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