The Emergency Clothing and Furniture Depot (E.C.F.D.) provides opportunities for clients within Centra Cam ‘s programs.

Training experiences to develop and maintain employment skills.

Opportunities to participate in activities related to client interests.

Volunteering and socialization opportunities.

Collects and stores essential household items donated by community members.
Distributes these essential household items to members of the community in emergency situations.

A $2.00 service donation is requested from community members “receiving” the donated items.

Accepting DONATIONS ONLY, No referrals please:

Location:
4918 46 Street
Camrose Alberta

Centra Cam Vocational Training Association became a registered non-profit organization in Nov. 1979, with a mission to support and assist persons with developmental disabilities through training and skill development. In 1998 Centra Cam Vocational Training Association expanded it’s services to include the ECFD (Emergency Clothing & Furniture Depot). ECFD is not funded by government, city, or business resources.

Initially, this project (ECFD) was started by a few social service agencies within Camrose, and consisted of part-time volunteers and minimal access by the community. Centra Cam’s involvement was of a volunteer nature, assisting with the tasks associated with the service. Due to increased demand, community need, feedback and lack of organizational management, in 1998 the Board of Directors of Centra Cam assumed the responsibility of the operations of the Emergency Clothing & Furniture Depot in Camrose. Centra Cam, at the time, never envisioned the scope of this project in relation to usage, workload and overhead costs. Additionally, in response to a request and recognition from Camrose & District Support Services, the depot is to be incorporated into the Emergency Disaster Plan for the City of Camrose.

This valuable service, enriched with hope, is offered to people from Camrose and surrounding areas. We have a service radius of approximately 100 km around Camrose. In the past years, ECFD has provided services to over 13,000 needy families and individuals. The individuals who access this service may have experienced a natural disaster or turmoil in their lives through fire, tornado, marriage breakdown, abuse, addictions, or unsupported disabilities. The families or individuals may have limited or no income.

The process of operation is that the community donates clothing and furniture to the depot. The individuals or families in need access the depot through a referral process and the clothing and furniture is dispensed free of charge to those who are referred.

Even though the items we provide to the families are all obtained through community donations, we still need funds to operate and to cover the overhead cost. We try to raise operational funds by selling the non emergency items we receive, such as books, sports equipment and other miscellaneous household items at our Outlet Store. We also sell rags, which are cut from unuseable clothing. In order to continue to operate we need the support of corporate sponsors, foundations and monetary donations from the communities that access the facility.