The St. Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG) Relief Project
Quick Facts About The Project
Support the Local Economy
100% of the money will be used locally and benefit local businesses
Give Directly to Families
Donations go directly to local villages to students and families in need
Support Local Merchants
Donations go directly to local merchants to build back up the community
Background - What Happened
In April 2021, La Soufrière, the largest volcano at the highest peak in St. Vincent and the Grenadines erupted, resulting in mass evacuation and displacement of thousands of residents of the island. For those who remained on the island, in addition to the pressures of a global pandemic, they had to and continue to deal with the after effects of one of the biggest and most destructive explosions to date.
Further damage was caused later that summer with flooding and hurricane Elsa. While several relief projects are underway, we would like to focus on supporting school-aged children and families.
Purpose of this Page
The purpose of the St. Vincent Relief Project is to assist school-aged children with the tools they need for the start of the new school year in October 2021, by providing backpacks containing stationery and personal items. In addition, we wish to assist families by providing backpacks containing non-perishable food items, and in so doing, support local businesses and food establishments.
Help Us Reach Our $5000 Goal
This link will open in new window and take you to the Backpack Project website to donate.
How You Can Help
Send Money Directly to Family and Friends in SVG
Send money directly to family and friends using the link provided below to avoid Western Union or MoneyGram fees and lineups.
BENEFITS
- Funds go directly to recipient’s bank account
- Recipient does not have to leave their home to collect funds
CANADIAN BANKS THAT SEND MONEY TO SVG
If you have an account with one of the following banks, you can send money for free or the fee might be covered in your service charge.
- CIBC Canada : Free of charge
- CIBC in Kingstown SVG will also send money to any non-CIBC bank in SVG that will accept the transfer. There is a $3.50 EC fee.
- RBC Canada: $6.00/transaction
- SCOTIA Canada: $6.50/transaction
- SIMPLII FINANCIAL Canada: Free of charge
To get a $25 bonus ($25 for the sender and $25 for the recipient) from Simplii Financial, use code https://mbsy.co/MbLcz
BENEFITS
- Recipients can receive money from abroad – with or without a bank account in their name if they provide the proper Identification
- Recipients can avoid long line-ups at international money transfer locations, like MoneyGram and Western Union
SVG BANKS THAT RECEIVE MONEY ON BEHALF OF RECIPIENTS WITH ID
The following banks will accept and disburse funds sent to their bank as long as the recipient can provide proof of identification:
- CIBC First Caribbean
BENEFITS
- Gift cards are provided by local merchants so money stays within the community.
- Recipients have full control over what to purchase for their own unique situation or needs.
- No delay to receive goods.
- Donating $50 CDN can feed a small family for one week.
SVG STORES PROVIDING GIFT CARDS AND VOUCHERS
Massy Grocery Stores
- Gift Vouchers are available in denominations of $10, $20, $50 and $100.
- Payment via Credit Card
- Please donate through the Backpackproject website
Greaves Grocery Stores
- Greaves will provide ‘customized’ vouchers for purchase
- Please donate through the Backpackproject website
Donate Goods Directly to People in SVG
Donate to the Backpack Project to send pre-packed backpacks to school children and families affected by the eruption of La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Backpack Project
The Backpack Project is a registered Canadian non-profit organization that promotes health and education among Caribbean students by providing them with pre-packed backpacks containing stationery items and personal health items. Our aim is to equip students with the tools they need to succeed in the classroom, as well as to improve their personal health and hygiene. In so doing, we wish to make a difference in these children's lives one backpack at a time.
As of October 2021, 84 backpacks filled with school supplies, toiletries and dried goods have been sent to school children and families in St. Vincent.
Backpack Project Team:
- Melissa Enmore - @melenmore
- Michele Mitchell - @mizmph (Instagram)
- Alicia Sullivan - @aliantsull0408
- Michelle McFarlane - No social media
- Diana Raymond-Watts - @drw_66
Contact Info
Email: info@backpackproject.ca or Phone: 647-539-0030
Click on the Donate button below to go to the Backpackproject website
This link will open in new window and take you to the Backpack Project website to donate.
Support Local Merchants in SVG
The local economy has taken a hard hit in the past year and a half. By directly supporting local merchants, moneys spent in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, help merchants provide goods and services to the community.
Massy Grocery Stores
Massy Stores offer vouchers ($10, $20, $50 and $100) and curbside pickup of $150 and over at all our locations:
Arnosvale
Kingstown
Stoney Creek
CK Greaves Grocery Stores
Greaves grocery stores offer custom vouchers of any value at all three locations
Greaves Marketplace
Pembroke
Supermarket & Bakery Arnos Vale
C.K. Greaves & Co. Ltd. Supermarket
Kingstown
Donate Through Canadian Cultural Associations
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Associations
The St. Vincent and Grenadines Association of Toronto Inc.
Contact: Jimmy Lewis – president@vincytoronto.com
- Verified pick up, drop off and shipping location information – Contact us for current information
There are four ways to donate funds:
- Cheque- Addressed to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Toronto, mailed to P.O. Box 80066, Don Valley Village P. O., Toronto, Ontario, M2J 0A1
- A Go Fund Me organized by the President of CARI-ON, Hayden Jones – St. Vincent Emergency Aid – Help Needed!, organized by Hayden Jones
- Direct Deposit into Bank Account-BMO Bank Account Number: # 1987-249 and Bank Transit Number: 29972
- E-transfer: carionsvgvolcanorelief@gmail.com
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Ottawa
Contact: Suzette Weekes, President
T. 613-866-8939
E. svgottawaassociation@gmail.com
There are three ways to donate funds:
- E-Transfer to svgottawaassociation@gmail.com
(memo indicating the donation is for SVGAO Volcano Relief) - Cheque – Payable to the
St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Ottawa) Association
Mail to Samantha Tim, Treasurer, 53 Callaway Crt. Orleans ON K1C 7S4 write a note in memo: SVGAO Volcano Relief - Direct Bank Deposit: Account Details: TD Canada Trust
Transit # 01646 * Institution # 004 * Account # 5218333
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Calgary
(403) 291-0144
Drop-Off Locations
Mississauga
New Haven Funeral Center
7025 Legion Rd
7am to 4pm
Woodbine
Faith Ministries
4370 Steeles Ave W.
Hours: 10am to 6pm
Scarborough
KLC Shippers
50 Tiffield Rd Scarborough unit 15
(ships daily or when container full)
East Scarborough
Morningstar Christian Fellowship
7601 Sheppard Ave E
Hours: M-Sa 2pm to 7pm
Ottawa
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Ottawa
Suzette Weekes, President
T. 613-866-8939
svgottawaassociation@gmail.com
www.svgaottawa.com
Calgary
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Calgary
2110 41 Ave NE, Calgary, Alberta
(403) 291-0144
Who is Involved
Special thanks to the backpack project charity for contributing and organizing this project