As rescue crews continue to dig through rubble in a race to find survivors in Turkey and Syria, local efforts are being made to provide relief to those in need.
John Head, the executive director of the Mennonite Central Committee of Ontario spoke with CityNews 570 and said they're accepting donations, hoping to help anyway they can.
"Donations can be made online at our website at mcccanada.ca or donations can be dropped off at any of our thrift shops in the region and at our office at 50 Kent Avenue in Kitchener."
Head said however, the preferred approach is monetary donations as they can be deployed immediately while bulk items are difficult to ship where needed in a timely fashion.
The money will then be used to acquire items most needed including basic necessities of food, water and shelter.
Other local community members are also attempting to rally support including Turkish-born musician Juneyt Yetkiner who took to social media Monday urging those who are able to provide aid to his home country.
Yetkiner said he's taking immediate action to gather donations, listing some of the most needed items.
"We're collecting coat jackets, rain coats, boots, jumpers, pants, beds, mattresses, diapers, hygiene materials and sanitary napkins."
He added these items are being collected locally to be sent to two warehouses - one in North York at 325/A Flint Road and another in Mississauga at 3063 Universal Drive.
Once there, items will be shipped free of charge through Turkish Airlines.
Yetkiner said he's still working on a local donation spot in Waterloo Region with the hope of establishing one at a local Turkish community centre.
He noted aid materials are requested to be delivered in transparent bags with a list of contents to be glued on packages.
Yetkiner added donations can also be given to two Turkish based relief groups; AKUT a voluntary search, assist & rescue organization and AHBAP an active voluntary network in the affected regions.
