(5-minute read)
December 2024
By M. Manzoor, Resource and Workshop Assistant, Family Care Office/ Faculty Relocation Services, University of Toronto
University of Toronto is home to several resources for students, faculty and staff with families to easily access and conveniently located. My name is Maryam, a work-study student at the Family Care Office, and I have created an extensive list of places you can access across the three campuses to get all your essentials without having to pay high prices.
UTSG
On the St. George Campus in downtown Toronto, there is the St. George Campus Free Store. Operated by volunteers, the store is open to students, staff and faculty of U of T.
- Access: TCard. Please bring your TCard—it is the only way you can enter the store!
- Available items: clothing, shoes, furniture, books and office supplies.
- Unavailable items: bedding, large appliances, cutlery, food, medical supplies and pet items.
- Hours of operation: Tuesday to Thursday, 12 to 2 pm. Please double-check the hours before visiting as the hours are subject to change.
- Location: 487 Spadina Crescent, entrance off Ursula Franklin Street. (Note on accessibility: the only way to enter the space is to climb downstairs.)
I had the opportunity to visit the Free Store on the St. George Campus. It’s a quaint space with a large variety of books, office supplies, water bottles and clothes. After browsing the book collection, I left with a book about Chinese literature. If you’re looking for a new book to read, it’s a great place to find one without the pressure to purchase.
The Family Care Office hosts a Facebook exchange group, U of T Parents’ Exchange, geared towards parents wanting to exchange or sell children’s items for affordable prices. The space allows parents to find everyday essentials for their children from clothing to toys.
- Access: to access the group, please send a request and answer the prompts correctly.
- Available items: clothes, shoes and toys.
- Unavailable items: car seats, booster seats and strollers.
- Location: Facebook
UTSC
On the Scarborough Campus, there is the UTSC Free Store. The store is run by Regenesis UTSC, an NGO that aims to educate the public about sustainability. The store is open to students.
- Access: TCard.
- Available items: gently used household items.
- Unavailable items: furniture.
- Donations: accepts gently used houseware, kitchen utensils etc. They do not accept furniture.
- Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 12 to 4 pm.
- Location: behind the UTSC Student Residence Centre in the Elm Townhouse complex.
Additional Resources
- Facebook Marketplace: Facebook marketplace is an excellent resource for finding toys, clothing and everyday items like cutlery, pots and pans, furniture and more. Parents can purchase and sell items. They can set their location and find sellers within the radius they desire.
- Thrift Stores: located all around the GTA, thrift stores like Salvation Army, Value Village, and Once Upon a Child are great places to find clothing, bedding and home appliances at a low and affordable cost.
- UFH’s Free Store: residents of University Family Housing at 30 and 35 St. Charles St West can access the free store located on the 3rd floor. The operating hours are Wednesday, 5 to 7 pm and Saturday, 2 to 4 pm.
The Family Care Office’s Resource Centre provides information on financial support for family caregivers and offers a comprehensive overview of available resources, including government programs, tax credits, and community services. It provides detailed information on eligibility criteria and application processes for various financial assistance options, aiming to alleviate the economic burden on caregivers. Additionally, the guide includes links to external organizations and support networks that can offer further assistance.