Here at Junk It®, we have a very large social media audience and wanted to bring awareness to this important issue. According to the Canadian Food Bank Network, one in nine Canadians struggles with hunger. People have different reasons for not having enough food. Some can’t afford to buy nutritious food or don’t have time to cook. Others may live in remote areas that don’t have grocery stores that sell affordable fresh produce or can’t get transportation where they can buy affordable fresh produce. The fact is, hunger is on the rise in Canada. In response to this need, food banks and other charities are growing their services as demand increases. Volunteers and donors are essential to keeping these charitable organizations running smoothly and feeding those who need it most. Read on for more information about how you can help fight hunger by volunteering your time, donating funds or goods, and becoming a member of a food bank organization in your area.
Food banks are non-profit organizations that distribute food to people who need it. These organizations focus on collecting, storing, and distributing food to people who need help so they can have enough to eat. Food banks typically collect money, food, and other goods from donors, and then distribute them to people in need. In Canada, there are over 700 food banks that serve about 1 in 10 people who need food assistance. People who run food banks are volunteers. They’re often people from the community who want to help others but can’t donate money because they don’t make enough. Or they’re people who want to make a lifestyle change and have been inspired by the work of other volunteers in the food banking industry.
Food banks are an important part of the Canadian food assistance system. To operate efficiently and effectively, these organizations need all the help they can get. Volunteering, whether in a warehouse or with administrative duties, helps food banks save money. This allows food banks to stretch their budgets further, so they can collect and distribute more food. Food banks need volunteers throughout the year, but there are certain times when organizations are especially busy. During the holiday season, many food banks collect donations of canned goods and groceries to prepare meals for people in their communities. And, the month before school starts, food banks collect back-to-school supplies for children living in poverty. Other times throughout the year when food banks need extra help include planting and harvesting seasons, and the last few days before a big storm when people may lose their fresh produce in the midst of power outages.
While you can’t write a single check and have it cover all of your donation needs, there are many ways you can support food banks. You can donate food, money, or time. You can also get your kids involved by creating a garden and donating the produce. Food donations are a staple of food banks. Food banks rely on donations for about half of their supplies. The best foods to donate are canned food, dried grains, and nutritional bars. You can also donate fresh produce, but most food banks can’t store and distribute it because of the short shelf life. Be sure to check with your local food bank before dropping off donations. Some food banks may not be able to accept certain types of food.
The most important item to donate is food. Food banks across Canada are always looking for fresh food to distribute. Good fresh food to donate includes canned goods, fresh dairy products, fresh produce (especially fruits and vegetables with no pesticides), and frozen meats. Food banks can’t accept all types of food, but they do collect basic staples such as canned food, cereal, and rice. They also accept fresh produce, dairy products, frozen meat, and baked goods. Some food banks will even accept fresh fish, but they can’t distribute perishable items.
Many people want to donate food but don’t have time to do so. If that’s the case for you, you can still help by donating money to food banks. Many food banks operate with very little government funding. They need the support of donors to keep their lights on and provide food to those in need. There’s no one best way to donate money. You can give online, by mail, or in person at a food bank’s office. Food banks across Canada accept two types of financial donations: cash donations and stocks. If you want to donate stocks, you’ll need to talk to a financial advisor. Food banks also accept money through online crowdfunding campaigns. If you want to raise money for a food bank, you can create a campaign on a site like GoFundMe.
If you don’t have the time or resources to donate food or money to your local food bank, you can always commit to being a long-term donor. This means you’ll make a single donation or set up a recurring donation to the same food bank on a regular basis. You can commit to being a long-term donor by setting up an automatic withdrawal or a monthly donation to your food bank. You can also make a one-time donation and write “for regular donation” on the cheque. Many food banks accept donations through cheques or online payments. Be sure to check with your local food bank before making a financial donation.
If you want to get even more involved, you can join the Canadian Food Bank Network. All you have to do is sign up for a membership, and you’ll receive a free t-shirt, and a food bank membership card, and you’ll be helping fight hunger in all provinces across Canada. The benefits of being a food bank member include: – Discounts on food and travel – Exclusive invitations to food bank events – Free food bank services, such as grocery delivery – And much more By joining, you’ll not only help food banks across Canada collect donations and provide food to people in need, but you’ll also get great benefits.
It’s 2020, and we are living in an era where the “less is more” approach to living is a great thing. Everywhere you go, you’ll find many TV series about how you can declutter, online tutorials on how you can live a zero-waste life, and so much more. Many of us are guilty of buying, storing, and looking to purchase things that we don’t need. If you find yourself in that predicament, fret not. Today, we have a look at how you can quickly downsize your lifestyle, so read on to find out more!
Are you guilty of driving a huge car that drains your finances when it comes to fuel, insurance, and maintenance? If so, you’re not alone. Far too many people drive vehicles that consume an incredible amount of fuel and cost a fortune to get services. One of the first steps you can take towards downsizing your lifestyle is to switch to a smaller vehicle. Whether this is a small SUV that can still accommodate a family or a hatchback, switching vehicles is a great way to reduce overall costs and keep your life as minimal as possible.
Have you ever found yourself staring down numerous items of clothing in your wardrobe only to wear the same pair of jeans you had on last week? This is a common predicament that many find themselves in. A vast majority of people have far too many items of clothing that they haven’t even worn in years, yet they still sit pretty in a drawer or one’s wardrobe. If you want to downsize your life, the time has come to give unwanted clothing away to op shops, charities, or even to friends and family. You could also sell pieces on platforms such as Etsy or Facebook Marketplace if you want to make a quick and easy buck. Keeping your wardrobe tidy, minimal, and full of clothing that you use is vital.
Are you guilty of hoarding items purely for sentimental purposes? Perhaps it’s that ugly T-shirt that your aunt got you for your birthday that you have never worn but can’t bear to give away. Getting rid of the keepsake items in your home is one of the best ways to downsize your lifestyle. Things from the past that linger around only collect dust and that serve no little significance in your day-to-day don’t need to be in your life. While this may be a bit difficult for some people to do, ridding your home of sentimental items that serve no purpose is critical in downsizing your lifestyle.
Do you have a ton of unused furniture just sitting in your garage? Perhaps your existing furniture at home is a little too large for your space. Having oversized furniture often makes your living space look a lot smaller than it is, and can create a sense of clutter in a room. We recommend selling your existing furniture or giving it away and opting for a more minimalist approach to home decor. Many furniture stores now stock items that are minimalist, simple, and easy to assemble. You’ll thank us once you rid your space of unwanted furniture or items that no longer serve their purpose.
Lastly, but most importantly, downsizing your life isn’t just about physical or material possessions. Part of downsizing your life is to improve your mental health and clarity, reduce anxiety, and practice self-care. There is no point in decluttering your home if your mind is cluttered with thoughts. We recommend taking a bit of “me time” every day to relax, meditate, or simply be present. Pampering yourself and creating mental space with a nice bath or some delicious food instead of tapping away at your smartphone all day is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.
Downsizing your life isn’t as complicated as it may seem. We hope that this article has given you insight into some simple tips and tricks that you can take on to eliminate excess in your life.
This content was originally published here.
When was the last time you saw household waste being dumped in the bushes outside? This could be quite common in the rural areas of Canada. Corporate or construction waste sometimes finds itself amongst the grass and trees. Many residents have the misconception that leaving their old vehicles or yard waste in public areas is acceptable.
A combination of irreverence for the scenic Canadian outdoors and indifference to the consequences has lead illegal dumping to become a common practice among few. The act has effects that go beyond just being hard on the eye. The long-standing disadvantages of illegal dumping far outweigh the time and energy saved by what people think is a quick fix.
Batteries, acid bottles or half-empty paint containers can penetrate soils and mix with groundwater, creating a toxic environment. Radioactive emissions from such items can have a drastic impact on the resources around us. Furthermore, illegal dumping ruins the touristic value of a country known for its natural heritage.
Undeniably, illegal dumping is pernicious, to health, wellbeing and the environment. How can we prevent this? Here are a few ideas:
Careful Monitoring
The municipal authorities can act as the watchdogs of a cleaner habitat by assigning surveillance duties to individuals. As a joint effort by officials as well as the members of a community, this can help keep illegal dumpers at bay.
A number to call, such as a 24-hour hotline, can be established to help report offenders. Many Canadian counties, such as the Thompson Nicola Regional District, already have such a service in operation.
Regular Clean-ups
Illegal dumping would not be the first time people have come together for the greater good, and it won’t be the last. An enthusiastic group of 300 activists, in British Columbia, have already made this happen. Communities everywhere need to be more proactive in protecting their own landscape. There are plenty of ways to create such groups, be it through social networking or volunteering associations. Initiatives like ‘Take Pride, Winnipeg’ are a case in point.
Awareness & Education
There have been incidents where lawbreakers were noticed tying tarpaulins, filled with waste, to trees. Few have even lined up their vehicles behind trucks to avoid being identified.
Canada could not have made it easier for residents to get rid of waste. Bin segregation, meticulously-planned garbage pickup by government agencies and rebates for efficient debris disposal are initiatives that help foster the green culture of Canada.
The simplest things individuals can do is be wary of the concerned rules and implement them accordingly. Publicly-organized events can further this awareness.
Constant Vigilance
Occupants can keep their property free of illegal waste dumping by installing fences, surveillance cameras and even alarms that signal when there is movement. These are common security measures that can be extended to keep the surroundings of properties clean.
The penalties for illegal dumping can be fines amounting up to $150,000 and, even, imprisonment. Call Junk It today to receive a free estimate and get your garbaged cleaned & help for junk removal without having to lift a finger.
Are Disney VHS Movies Worth Keeping?VHS was never a particularly good format for collectibles. With an even shorter lifespan than DVDs, they are impossible to both use and keep in good condition. They are also extremely vulnerable to moisture, magnetism, and heat. Although there are some exceptions, the majority of VHS are completely worthless. It may be worth calling a junk removal company if you have other stuff you want to get rid of.
The Digital Revolution
Disney did a pretty good job preserving their original film cans. This means that no matter how well-kept your VHS is, a much better version of the film is locked in a vault somewhere. It is only a matter of time before Disney, hoping to capitalize on nostalgia, transfers all of its best films to a digital format. DVDs, Blue Rays, and downloads will always have a sharper image and sound, and longer lifespan, than poor analog VHS.
However, there is still value in some incredibly rare Disney VHS.
The One’s Worth Keeping
What to Do with the Ones not Worth Keeping
If you have all the original packaging and every tape is in its proper case, your collection might still be useful to someone. Some charities in Toronto, like the Salvation Army, will still take and use VHS tapes. Unfortunately, many other charities will just throw them out. If you want to cut out the middle man, call a junk removal service.
8 Improvements That Come With A Clean GarageAlthough cleaning your garage can be one of the biggest – and perhaps most daunting – task of any homeowner to take on, investing time into decluttering and organizing the space does have many benefits. In this article, we’re looking at the most valuable benefits of creating a mess-free space.
During the process of cleaning and organizing your garage, you are surely to find a lot of junk that is beyond salvaging. If that’s the case, contact our team at Junk It!. We will remove all of your excess junk quickly, efficiently and hassle-free.
Vintage VS Junk: How To Tell If Your Instrument Is Worth AnythingCould you be holding onto a priceless instrument that was crafted by a skilled artisan long, long ago? The chances of that are slim, but that doesn’t mean that the vintage instrument sitting in the basement is worthless. Perform this quick analysis before deciding to clear some space in storage by calling a junk removal service.
Brand Power
Instruments fashioned by respected brands hold up better to aging, while preserving their quality construction so when they’re played, they still sound better than their competition. If you’re hanging onto the receipt from when it was first purchased, the cost of the instrument can be a good indicator of how much it’s worth today. You have to keep in mind the relative costs of instruments though, because a low end, expensive instruments could be costlier than a high end instrument that’s easier to manufacture.
Pianos to Look for
There are thousands of piano brands, and some of the most recognizable brands include:
Violin Brands
Violins aren’t as large of an instrument but they’re still quite valuable as well made violins will sound better with use. Like wine, aging improves the good ones so check the outside or lining of the violin case for the stamping of the following brands:
An important factor to look for is how well the instrument has held up over time. Even if you have a rare instrument, if it was improperly stored and suffered damage, its value will drop significantly to the point where it may not even be worth much. Inspect your instrument for visible signs of wear, including warping, cracking, or discolouration.
How to Make the Most of a Small ApartmentSometimes the best lives are led in a tiny apartment. After all, tiny apartments can have lower rent, allowing you to live in better locations and spend more money on your passions!
Fortunately, living in a tiny apartment can be a breeze if you follow the following steps for junk identification. For all junk removal in Toronto, contact us for a free, no-obligation quote!
Fold-away furniture is incredibly practical, and is becoming quite chic. Nice fold-away chairs and tables can switch your apartment between an open livable space and a cozy dinner party setting in a matter of minutes. Stacking or nesting furniture is also making a comeback, especially with classy wooden benches that can slide under the table or on top of each other when not in use.
By living in a small downtown apartment, you will likely save a lot of time on commuting, so spend some of that time keeping the clutter levels in your home at a minimum. There are many strategies for controlling clutter in a small space, but some of our favorites are:
A shelving unit makes it easy to see how much of your stuff is obviously junk: it’s the stuff on shelves that looks terrible and that you don’t use. Get rid of it.
It can be harder to tell what junk is if it is grouped in with non-junk. The most obvious example of this is in your closet. It can be hard to notice that unused clothes are adding up. Use the hanger method: turn all your hangers around backwards. When you wear a piece of clothing, hang it back up the right way around. After six months, junk or donate all the clothes that were never worn. You can use similar methods to identify unused cookware, books and magazines, video and board games, or any other commonly used household items.
Ready to change up some living space? Here’s a handy list to make sure everything goes smoothly during your redecoration!
Most people don’t have the proper space in their home for a convenient remodel.
When we remodel, we need to shift all the furniture and clutter into other rooms. This can quickly lead to Hoarders-style mountains of belongings in our remaining living space.
It’s time to figure out what to store, and what to junk!
This leads us to step 2:
You should put a lot of thought into the new color scheme, appliances, and desired “feel” of the room. There is no point paying to put something into storage if you’re just going to throw it out later. Use a color wheel and read design blogs to make sure that your old couches or cupboards will work with the new scheme.
Additionally, you have to be realistic about the quality and remaining lifespan of items. If a couch, table, or chairs already look worn, they will need to be replaced in the near future regardless. Why not replace them during the remodel with furniture that perfectly complements the new décor?
Whether our furniture is mismatched or just old, it might be time to get rid of it! Both full-service and self-service junk removal options are available to remove the offending pieces.
Why not take the opportunity of large junk removal to fully de-clutter the house? Everyone has those little piles of e-waste, those never-used side tables, those aging papers, etc. The whole family can move room by room, bagging whatever isn’t needed.
Not only will removing junk in bulk save money, but also it will increase the space available in the house.
This makes it easier to deal with the limitations on living space caused by major redecorating projects, and it will make the whole house feel better once the redecoration is finished!
Finally, it will prevent clutter from overflowing from the rest of the house back into the redecorated area.
Every piece of clutter removed teaches a lesson. Why was that clutter still in the house? Was it forgotten, or just allowed? What pieces of furniture were most likely to end up in the junk pile? How can the family make sure that clutter doesn’t affect the newly remodeled rooms?
Writing down all the lessons can help keep your new home’s decorations scheme from being drowned in clutter in the future!
Everyone knows the joys of owning their first house, but that joy quickly fades as you begin to notice you are living in a money sink hole. But do not despair! You can add value to your home with quick easy fixes, that later on will have you jumping for joy. Put down the jack-hammer and read the top 3 ‘Do it yourself’ renovations that have the most return on investment according to Royal LePage in 2008.
We have received a few calls this week from people concerned that they may not have enough junk for it to be worth their while and that they might just wait until they accumulate a huge pile of garbage before they request a bin service. But, you don’t have to wait that long!
Using a junk removal service does not necessarily mean that you have to hoard your junk before you call us. If you want to get rid of a couple things to make your life clutter free, we can do that for you! Our full service is perfect for single item junk removal or if you have small amounts of garbage you wish to get rid of. If you want to go for a bin rental, we have four different bin sizes that you can choose from; 5, 10, 15 and 20 cubic yards. The sizes of the bins are all the same length and width with the only varying factor being the height. Respectively our bin heights range from 1.5 ft, 3 ft, 4 ft, and 5 ft high. We can either drop a bin off so you can fill it yourself (self service) or we can come to your location and do it for you (full service)! Whichever service you choose to use, we will make sure it is hassle free! Call us now at 416.531.5865 or book online at www.junkit.ca.
*Image Credit: mylocationscouts
New Changes on FacebookWith Google+ appearing on the scene, everyone thought that this would be the death of Facebook. For Mark Zuckerberg this was a challenge he was ready to have a comeback for. On September 22, 2011, San Francisco held the F8 conference where Zuckerberg released the latest changes that will be coming to Facebook.
1. The News Feed- has now been split up into two; the Feed and Ticker We all know the infamous news feed that shows us all our friends and Facebook page updates. But now with the introduction of the Ticker, less interesting updates will go into this news feed while more current and important updates will go to the main news feed. This will help eliminate too much “noise” in news feeds.
2. User profiles have been redesigned as the “Timeline”- a scrapbook of your life. Your profile will experience the biggest change since the invention of Facebook. The basic outline will now be replaced with the Timeline. This now gives an overview of your activity since the first day you signed up to Facebook in a chronological order, from the top being the most recent to the bottom. You can add photos and activities from the day you were born if you wish, adding to your Timeline. This was inspired by scrap books and reviving lost memories.
3. The next stage for the Open Graph: The Open Graph now allows any action within an application now possible. Applications can now tell Facebook that a user has “watched” a video, or “read” an article, or “listened” to a song. These will be updated on the Ticker in order to filter low-level updates so you don’t get bombarded by your friend’s usage of Facebook.
4. You can watch TV and movies, listen to music and read news with your friends. Thanks to a bunch of partnerships, you can watch a show with Hulu, listen to music on Spotify, or read news with Yahoo News. Whatever it is that you are doing, it will show up on you Ticker feed.
Ok I Am Confused About Sunscreen!New FDA research data reveal that a type of Vitamin A (found on the label as “retinyl palmitate” or “retinol”), which is in 41% of sunscreens, may actually increase the growth of cancerous skin tumors and lesions. While vitamin A is used in many skin products for its antioxidant properties to slow skin aging, when in the sun it may have photocarcinogenic properties that can damage the skin more than protect it. The FDA’s one year study found that lab animals coated in a cream with Vitamin A and exposed to sunlight daily developed skin tumors and lesions 21% sooner than the control animals with no vitamin A. While the data are only preliminary, the FDA’s full assessment will be issued in October.
The Environmental Working Group just released their fourth annual Sunscreen Guide, with recommendations for only 39 of the 500 sunscreen products reviewed. The EWG found many products misleading in their claims, lacking in adequate protection from all types of ultraviolet radiation, and containing many potentially hazardous chemicals. Because the FDA still has not issued any sunscreen industry regulations, which they began drafting 32 years ago, consumers are left to discover the safest products on their own.
EWG Senior Vice President For Research Jane Houlihan said, “Many sunscreens available in the U.S. may be the equivalent of modern-day snake oil, plying customers with claims of broad-spectrum protection but not providing it, while exposing people to potentially hazardous chemicals that can penetrate the skin into the body.”
Here are some of the dangerous truths about sunscreen, including the best and worst products.
Check out the EWG’s 2010 Sunscreen Guide for more info
Check out easycrate at the National Homeshoweasycrate Ltd. provides a convenient, affordable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional cardboard moving boxes. They rent eco- friendly reusable plastic moving boxes and wardrobes for residential and commercial moves.
easycrates have attached hinged covers that prevent expensive loss of product. The containers stack when closed or nest when open to provide the most efficient use of available space on the manufacturing floor, in the warehouse, inside a truck/trailer or in the back room of your retail outlet. Reusable for over 250 trips, the containers are built from a rigid reused plastic material and are designed to last!
They offer very affordable rates and packages including delivery and pick up of your moving boxes. easycrate services the GTA including Vaughan, Mississauga, Oakville, Brampton and surrounding areas
Social responsibility is on everyone’s mind and all over the media. Why not use a service that will show your commitment to minimizing the impact on our environment? Easycrates save trees, and maintain the amount of garbage that enters our landfills and lowers the carbon footprint.
In three easy steps, easycrate will have your boxes delivered and ready to use. If you have any questions about their services or would like to place an order, simply email [email protected] or call toll free 1-855-860-RENT (7368). For more information on the company visit them at www.easycrate.ca
Check them out at the National Home show from February 18th through to the 27th.