|
 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS REGARDING PICKUPS
HOW DO I ARRANGE FOR A FREE PICKUP AT MY DOOR?
SICL operators handle bookings for the whole province. Call 306-477-2171 in Saskatoon and 306-522-0855 in Regina or our toll free number: 877-477-2171 if you live in any other community. We have scheduled pick-ups around the province, Monday through Friday.
WHAT ITEMS CAN I DONATE?
We are happy to accept reusable clothing, shoes, dishes, bedding, curtains, small appliances, tools, books, sporting goods, jewelry, toys, luggage, knickknacks, and much more. We ask that the items be in good, reusable condition.
Please note that we are NOT able to accept furniture at this time.
ITEMS WE CAN TAKE 
• Clothing: all types • Accessories: hats, mitts, scarves, ties, nylons, socks, underwear, belts, purses, wallets, bags, jewelry • Bed and bath: sheets, quilts, pillows, blankets, towels, mats, bath accessories • Shoes and boots • Housewares and kitchen items: toys, games, puzzles, crafts, decorations, pots, pans, utensils, kitchen tools, cups, plates, glassware, tablecloths, curtains, ornaments, candles, garden hand tools, throw/area rugs • Small electrical: toasters, radios, power tools, irons, blenders, mixers, small stereos (please ensure these are in working condition) • Books, records, CDs, DVDs video/audio tapes, books. • Sports and small fitness equipment. If you’re not sure about items you would like to donate, please call us 477-2171 in Saskatoon and 306-522-0855 in Regina and for all other communities call toll free 1-877-477-2171. You can also email SICL, » Click here
ITEMS WE CANNOT TAKE 
We are not able to take the following items due to safety and health concerns:
• Jars, bottles, cans (sealing or mason jars, baby bottles and antique bottles are okay)
• Paint or other liquid substances
• Coil or slat spring beds, waterbeds, hide-a-beds (we do receive some credit for these items if you are able to deliver these at the Value Village Store and let them know you are donating to SICL)
• Cribs, car seats, playpens, swings, high chairs
• Oil, water or gas heaters
• Sheets of glass (encased frame mirrors are okay)
• Building scraps, used or broken tiles
• Large appliances (freezers, washer/ dryers, stackable washer-dryer sets, countertop dishwashers, refrigerators, bar fridges)
• Toilets, porta-potties, bathtubs, bathroom sinks and vanities
• Tires and misc. car parts
• Cabinet TV’s and stereos
• Curtain rods, venetian blinds
• Computers, typewriters
• Gas or briquette BBQ’s
• Food
• Flammable or corrosive products
• Ping-pong tables (unless in perfect condition and dismantled), swing sets
• Newspapers, textbooks, Readers Digest, National Geographic, encyclopedias, magazines
• Firearms and ammunition
• Automobile parts
• Alcohol
• Plants and other living things
• Sump-pump
• Gas lawnmowers or snow blowers
• Office dividers
• Hospital beds.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY FURNITURE IS IN “GOOD CONDITION”?
Sorry but we no longer are able to pick up furniture items
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A PICKUP?
We try to accommodate all requests as soon as we can. The wait time can vary depending on the weather, road conditions and time of year. Remember there are drop off bins for bags of clothing, bedding and linens for your convenience too.
HOW DO I PACK UP MY DONATION FOR PICKUP?
Please put your non-breakable items in bags and mark them “CL.” For example, don’t put glassware in a bag with clothing and stuffed toys. You may think the glasses will be padded and protected, but if heavy items get placed on your bag with breakables inside, we can have a dangerous mess.
For smaller knick-knacks and breakable items, please use sturdy cardboard boxes with “CL” written on the top or side. Larger, heavier items can be set out beside the bags and boxes.
Making sure that items for pick-up are grouped together and clearly marked helps our driver know that they are picking up only the items you want to donate.
Have the donated items out on your front step with the “CL’ markings visible by 8:30 a.m. on your scheduled collection day helps ensure we don’t miss your house. The items will be picked up sometime that same day.
HOW DO I KNOW IT’S YOU WHEN SOMEONE PICKS UP MY DONATION?
All SICL trucks are white and light blue and clearly marked with our distinctive logo and our “Friends help us grow” message on the side. As well, our drivers wear uniforms so you can be sure that it is SICL coming to your door for a pick-up.
WHAT IF MY DONATION IS NOT PICKED UP?
Please phone 306-477-2171 as soon as possible so we can help you.
CAN I DROP OFF MY DONATION SOMEWHERE?
Please remember that the bins are for bagged clothing and linens and that plastic bags fit better into the chute at our yellow drop bins.
You can also drop off your items at the SICL, SACL offices or at our new Donation Station:
Saskatchewan Institute on Community Living
1302A Alberta Ave Donation Station
Saskatoon, SK S7K 1R5 #5 - 2605 Broadway Ave S
Phone – [306] 477-2171 Saskatoon, SK
Fax – [306] 664-9292 Phone - [306] 477-4288
Or
Saskatchewan Association for Community Living
3031 Louise Street
Saskatoon, SK S7J 3L1
Phone – 306-955-3344
Fax – 306-373-3070
GENERAL QUESTIONS REGARDING SICL & SACL
WHY SHOULD I DONATE TO SICL?
All the money that SICL generates stays right here in Saskatchewan and supports many long-established and innovative programs for people with disabilities and their families.
And as a bonus, when you call us, you get a real live person who lives and works in Saskatchewan! No voice mail, no automatic dialers.
HOW DOES DONATING TO SICL HELP THE ENVIRONMENT?
By donating to SICL you are being a responsible recycler. Over the past 20 years you have helped ensure that your good usable household items find new homes. What you no longer need becomes useful to someone else and it helps people with disabilities and their families.
HOW MUCH MATERIAL DO YOU ESTIMATE IS DONATED EACH YEAR?
In 2009 alone, SICL collected a whopping 3.5 million pounds of household goods, so you can imagine how much we have collected in our 20-year history!
HOW DOES SICL OR COMMUNITY LIVING OPERATE? WHO’S IN CHARGE?
We are governed by a voluntary board of directors, some of whom are parents and family members of people with intellectual disabilities.. An audited financial statement is prepared for both the SICL and the SACL each year and is reviewed publicly at the annual general meetings of both.
HOW IS THE MONEY RAISED FROM THE SALE OF THE DONATED GOODS USED?
SICL raises money by selling your donated items to Value Village Stores in Saskatchewan. Basically, we are a wholesaler of goods.
HOW ELSE CAN I SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES?
CAN I RECEIVE AN INCOME TAX RECEIPT FOR MY DONATION OF ITEMS?
Only if you are donating something that is a certified, appraised antique or collectible. Revenue Canada does not allow a donation of used items to be eligible for a tax receipt because it is difficult to place a value on all the items.
WHY DON’T I JUST DONATE USED CLOTHING DIRECTLY TO PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES?
In addition to supplying Value Village with used goods, SICL also periodically provides emergency assistance to people with disabilities and/or their families. We also provide direct funding for a variety of community projects.
We think it is important to create programs to enhance inclusive childcare, education and lifelong learning, employment and career development, justice and human rights, recreation and leisure, training and a variety of other efforts.
DOES THE MONEY RAISED STAY IN SASKATCHEWAN?
Yes. All money generated from the sale of your donated goods to Value Village stays here to support Saskatchewan programs and initiatives. » Click here for the SACL website to find out more, or call the SACL at 306-955-3344.
WHAT KINDS OF PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES ARE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE MONEY RAISED?
WHAT CAN I DO IF SOMETHING IS PICKED UP THAT I DIDN’T INTEND TO DONATE?
Please call us right away at 306-477-2171 to give us your name, address and date of the pickup (hopefully the same day!) We can alert the driver on your route as soon as we hear from you and hopefully we can return the item to you.
Please do be careful when setting out your donation on your front step. If at all possible, mark your bags/boxes with “CL” so we know for certain that it’s meant for us!
DO YOU HAVE LONG-TERM DONORS?
We have built relationships with thousands of loyal donors around the province since 1989. So many people have told us they appreciate the free pickup and the convenience of our drop off bins and they find donating their household items to Community Living to be very satisfying. They know the money raised from their donation will be used well.
WHAT KINDS OF JOBS ARE THERE AT SICL? IS SICL HIRING STAFF?
SICL is looking for new team members. We employ Truck Drivers who are based out of Saskatoon and Regina. We also hire Telemarketers in our Saskatoon office. If you are interested in more information we would be happy to hear from you. You can drop by our Saskatoon office or mail or email your resume to us.
|