ONE GOOD DEED LED TO MANY
Katie Grant Pays It Forward

by Sonya Kuitenbrouwer

Over nearly ten years, West End resident Katie Grant has collected and donated several thousand items to services in the Downtown East Side (DTES). Each week, Grant will spend dozens of hours washing, packing, and donating items, giving them a new life for someone in need.

After facing a battle with illness, Grant found comfort in the helping hand she received from other people. Feeling the need to pass on that kindness, she lent a hand to a friend who needed help donating old clothes.

“I started calling around to see who would be willing to accept the clothes, and from then on more and more people started asking for my help. I don’t know exactly how I started all of this,” Grant said. As word began to spread, one good deed quickly became two and three, sparking a now never-ending stream of donations.

Lining the walls of her West End apartment are dozens of boxes, mostly clothing, neatly packed and labelled as they wait for a new home. However, given the cost, space and time needed, Grant is finding it somewhat difficult to keep up.

“Last month, I did 66 loads of laundry and it cost me over $200. Sometimes, when people really understand what I do, I’ll get a donation, but the latest sent me $200 and it was gone by the end of the week,” Grant told TWEJ.

Just one corner of Katie Grant’s apartment. *(Sonya Kuitenbrouwer Photo)*

In addition to the rising costs of maintaining this initiative, Grant is searching for more hands, as transporting such a large volume of items on her own has become nearly impossible. Started by a handful of friends, there is a Facebook group of volunteers called Katie’s Wings. While the group has been incredibly helpful Grant said, the need for more volunteers is dire.

“The idea is Katie’s Wings is supposed to help me fly. So when I need a hand with something, I’ll post out, but I don’t always get an answer,” Grant explained.

The various obstacles have yet to discourage Grant, as she continues to accept donations nearly everyday. Contrary to many other points of donation, Grant will take nearly every single kind of item and find it a new home. Depending on the volume of donations, Grant offers to coordinate for services to receive the items directly. However, in her experience, that doesn’t always work.

“Plan A, you can take it to these places yourself, this is what they’ll appreciate. Plan B, bring it to me and I will get it out there. I never say no.”

Those looking to donate items or volunteer are encouraged to contact Katie through the Katie’s Wings Facebook group here. Financial donations are also accepted and highly appreciated.