The Power of a Small Gesture: Mahnoor's Story
“When people are donating, they’re not just helping Matthew House – they’re helping the entire community.”
– Mahnoor Chandio
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We love sharing the stories of the amazing people connected to Matthew House Ottawa. Enjoy!
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“At first, everybody panicked,” Mahnoor says as she remembers the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic for Matthew House Ottawa. “But it became obvious that we had to keep serving our community. Without Matthew House, these people would have had nowhere to go. They would have had no furniture in their homes.”
Mahnoor had only begun volunteering with the Furniture Bank a few months earlier, in December 2019. Originally from Pakistan, she had moved to Canada following the completion of her Master’s in the USA. A friend suggested she might enjoy getting involved with the organization.
“The same day I interviewed to become a volunteer, they asked if I would mind staying,” she laughs. “I really loved it here. I haven’t left since.”
Today, Mahnoor Chandio is employed full-time as the Administrative & Operations Assistant for Matthew House’s Furniture Bank. While she says that every day in her job is different, her standard responsibilities include booking pick-up appointments for furniture donations, accepting furniture drop-offs, and issuing tax receipts along with performing day-to-day operations. She also supports the financial operations of both the Furniture Bank and Matthew House’s refugee services work.
“I love helping people, and this was the best opportunity for me to do so,” Mahnoor explains. “When you help somebody – when you see them genuinely smile – you get such a fulfilling feeling… Our clients’ face change when they realize they have got almost everything from the Furniture Bank they needed for their family. We’re turning skeletons of houses into homes.”
Mahnoor recalls the story of a woman who came to the Furniture Bank with her three sons for an appointment. When asked if she needed anything else, the woman told Mahnoor she felt like she had already taken too much. Eventually, she shared that her five-year-old daughter did not have a comforter. When Mahnoor was able to find one in the warehouse, the woman began to cry with gratitude and hugged her.
“It was a reminder that you never know what small thing is going to mean the world to somebody,” says Mahnoor. “The smallest gesture can make a huge difference in somebody’s life. You just need to understand where people are coming from.”
Mahnoor says that everyone has a part to play in helping their neighbours – and that donating to Matthew House Ottawa does just that.
“People think the amount of money they can afford to give won’t make much of a difference, but any amount you are able to give means we are able to provide better services,” she explains. “There is always a refugee in flux in our community. People need somewhere to stay. They need furniture and other items to make their houses into homes. We can provide that, but we need other people’s help as a community.”
As a former Matthew House volunteer, Mahnoor also emphasizes the importance of giving the gift of time. “If you’re looking for an opportunity to do something in your community, come here! You’ll see how you can make a difference and help people. It won’t be time wasted. You’ll feel like part of a family.”
When she goes home each day, Mahnoor feels satisfied that she’s served her community.
“Our purpose is to help everybody who’s starting anew – whether it be a kid, an adult, a lifelong Canadian or a newcomer. We help people get on their feet and start their lives again. When people are donating, they’re not just helping Matthew House – they’re helping the entire community. Trust me, it makes a difference.”
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Want to help your community? Here’s how you can open doors for your neighbours and support Matthew House Ottawa:
Donations: you can give online here or cheques can be mailed to 380 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa ON K2G 6A1.
Volunteer with us: We currently need volunteers to support our furniture bank and refugee services programs.
Refugee Services: We welcome donations of grocery cards, groceries and frozen meals to help feed the refugees we have welcomed at the house, though we ask that you please contact Doreen in advance to make arrangements (dkatto@matthewhouseottawa.org).
Furniture Bank: If you have gently-used furniture you no longer need, please give us a call at 613-591-6681. And please spread the word among your networks as well.
Pray: for past, present, and future residents and furniture bank clients
Since 2010, Matthew House Ottawa has welcomed hundreds of refugee claimants, and provided quality used furniture to 7000 families in need. We have done this as a large, dedicated team of volunteers and a handful of employees, with a lot of passion and commitment. Thank you for helping to make this important work possible!