The northwestern Ontario community is abuzz with news that Angie Marshall says she only expected to gather a few piles of donations for wildfire evacuees in northwestern Ontario.
Mountains of carefully-labelled clothing, hygiene supplies, books, games and toys have transformed the space into what could easily be mistaken for a store. Marshall is the lands and resources manager for Whitesand First Nation, one of more than a dozen communities forced to evacuate due to threats from nearby wildfires. Evacuees from Whitesand First Nation, Armstrong, Namaygoosisagagun First Nation and Gull Bay First Nation have been staying in the city since mid-July.
Volunteers began by gathering donations at various locations across town. While 670 Beaverhall Place (owned by Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment and Training Services) was initially meant to be used as an overflow space, it quickly became the city’s donation hub — making Marshall thedonation and volunteer co-ordinator. “It means more than people realize. Just knowing that you have a clean pair of underwear to put on at the end of the day after having a hot shower means a lot more than people know,” Marshall advised of the community’s generosity.
“We are going to keep a lot of stuff on hand for evacuees, but whatever isn't needed is getting donated back.” The best way for people to support wildfire evacuees is either by volunteering to sort donations or by contributing to a relief investment program.
However, the outpouring of support has posed a problem:there aren’t enough volunteers to keep up with the volume of items being dropped off. 'A big difference': Small fire departments in area of northwestern Ontario wildfires get new equipment Physical donations are no longer being accepted at 670 Beaverhall Place. Instead, volunteers are storing some items in sea cans, while others are being distributed to social service organizations in town. “We still got lots of weeks of hot weather and communities like ours, we don't know if we can go back home yet or when — or a home to go to,” Marshall noted. “We are going to keep a lot of stuff on hand for evacuees, but whatever isn't needed is getting donated back.” The best way for people to support wildfire evacuees is either by volunteering to sort donations or by contributing to a relief investment program. The Thunder Bay Law enforcement Service’s toy drive for wildfire evacuees has also ended afteran abundance of items was collected, filling 13 vehicles. “There's a lot of people who are willing to give stuff — the basics, essentials of living like toiletries and underwear,” confirmed Victor Wiltmann, a volunteer at 670 Beaverhall Place. “The people who receive them are also appreciative of being able to have those things.” Volunteers can come to the warehouse Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. Updates can be found on theThunder Bay Wildfire Relief Volunteering (670 Beaverhall Place) Facebook group. Neskantaga First Nation calls on province to communicate better amid wildfire urgent situation Powwows, dancing help wildfire evacuees ‘come together,’ easing pain of seeing First Nations burn Thunder Bay often gets a bad rap for being an unwelcoming the public, indicated Marshall. “This is really showing that's not the case,” she declared. “The amount of people that have big hearts and caring and really want to help overpowers any negativity that is in the urban centre.” Sarah Law is a CBC News reporter based in the Lakehead region, Ont., and has also worked for newspapers and online publications elsewhere in the province. Have a story tip? You can reach her at sarah.law@cbc.ca. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered onCBC Gem..
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📍 Source: CBC News Thunder Bay · By: CBC News Staff · 🗓️ July 29, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
