'It's been a godsend': Free store for Ukrainian newcomers to close Sunday
Two years and $8 million worth of beds, couches, dishes and dressers later, the Ukrainian Newcomer Free Furniture Warehouse is closing its doors.
The store was created to help Ukrainians settling in the Edmonton area after fleeing the war, and it has served more than 16,000 families since. Sunday will be its last day.
The warehouse was donated by the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Lodge 146 and it was run by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Alberta Provincial Council (UCC-APC).
Many newcomers arrived in Edmonton with few belongings. They were able to come to the store to furnish their new homes for free.
"It's been a godsend for them because they don't have to spend the little money they've got on furniture," said warehouse manager Mary Anne Pyszcz.
"They're so grateful, they say they keep us in their prayers," Pyszcz said. "They can't believe that Canadians actually donate all this stuff."
- Get the latest Edmonton updates right to your inbox
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
The store is closing because the need has diminished, due to the end of a federal program authorizing emergency travel from Ukraine, said UCC-APC president Orysia Boychuck.
"We were here to help fill a gap, fill a gap in support, a critical need," Boychuck said. "That need has been filled, that goal has been achieved, and we are now ready to move on to other programs and support."
Boychuck said it's bittersweet to say goodbye. While she's glad the warehouse was able to help so many people, she'll miss the store.
"It is an emotional day," she added. "That community that was formed here is coming to an end."
"We bonded, everybody has bonded, it's almost sad that we've been together for that long," Pyszcz said.
More than 35,000 volunteer hours went into the store, and Boychuck said two years would have been impossible without the help of Edmontonians, local businesses and other organizations.
"There's been extraordinary humanitarian good will that has come forward in the two years, and we're so, so pleased," she added.
The UCC-APC has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help continue providing services to newcomers arriving after the store's closure. https://hfh.org/
Newcomers can also access education, employment, mental health and integration programs at the UCC-APP.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Galen McDougall
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Family of toddler found dead at small-town Ont. daycare no closer to answers after year of investigation
A year has passed since two-year-old Vienna Irwin was found on the property of a home-based daycare in small-town Ontario, but her family says they are no closer to answers of what happened that day.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
Three dead after vehicle plunged down a 100-foot embankment in Shediac, N.B.
Three people have died after a vehicle veered off the road in Shediac N.B., Friday morning.
Appeal denied for Edmonton soldier accused of trying to kill her 3 children
An Edmonton woman found guilty of trying to kill her three children has been denied an appeal.