The Barrie Chamber of Commerce says the need for donations is high, but for items other than clothing. The Chamber is one of my organizations around the city collecting donations for the Elizabeth Fry Society shelter in Barrie. On Sunday, a fire broke out at the shelter, displacing 40 women and sending four to hospital for smoke inhalation. One woman was arrested in connection to the fire. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time, as an investigation by the Ontario Fire Marshall is underway. In the meantime, the shelter has urged people to make donations to help the vulnerable women it supports. The Chamber has answered that call by asking for donations on Monday, but in a newsletter posted on Wednesday, the organization says clothing donations have been paused for the time being. “Thank you for the overwhelming generosity shown in response to the fire at the Elizabeth Fry Society Simcoe Muskoka’s Barrie location,” the Chamber said. “We are pausing clothing donations while the Elizabeth Fry Society assesses what has been received. For now, we are still accepting non-perishable food items, personal hygiene products, new socks, bras and underwear only.” Donations can be dropped off at the Chamber’s office at 121 Commerce Park Drive in Barrie.
