With the cold weather expected in Vancouver this week, the city’s homeless shelters are in desperate need of warm clothing donations and other essential items.
Temperatures are expected to stay frigid for the next few days, so it’s vital for shelters to have items that unhoused people need on hand when they seek assistance,
So what can you donate? And where?
“Donating things like blankets and warm clothing are the biggest things people can do to help,” John Johnston from Raincity Housing’s Triage Shelter previously told Daily Hive.
Winter jackets, waterproof garments, and new pairs of socks are other items in demand this time of year.
There are numerous shelters throughout the city where you can donate warm clothing. And while they’ll more often than not happily accept your donation, it’s always a good idea to call ahead and see what they need most.
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What to donate
Cold weather means keeping warm from head to toe. It also means staying dry. Here are some ideas of needed items that you can give to help others during the winter season and beyond:
- Jackets
- Sweaters
- Pants
- Fresh pairs of clean socks
- Blankets
- Waterproof garments
- Gloves/mitts
- Hats/toques
- Scarves
Where to donate warm clothing
First United
Items requested include gloves, scarves, toques, winter jackets, sweaters and sweatshirts, blankets, and sleeping bags. Unexpired Snacks such as granola bars and cookies as well as McDonald’s and Tim Hortons gift cards in $5 or $10 amounts are also welcome.
Where: First United Community Help Desk — 501 E Hastings. Monday to Friday from 8 am to noon and 1 to 4 pm
Covenant House
Items requested include hoodies (all sizes), new socks, winter jackets, men’s t-shirts size medium and up, and toiletries such as soap, deodorant, and mini toothpaste
Where: Contact Cory Kaban, supervisor of Gifts-in-Kind, to coordinate a dropoff
Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre (DEWC)
Items requested include leggings, jeans, winter jackets, winter boots, runners, underwear, bras, towels, running shoes, and socks. Toiletries are also welcome donations at all locations.
Where: 302 Columbia Street, Vancouver; 25 East Hastings Street, Vancouver; 412 East Cordova Street, Vancouver; 398 Powell Street, Vancouver; 265 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Union Gospel Mission
Items requested include jackets and coats, socks, underwear, sweatshirts and fleece, warm gloves, emergency blankets, and sleeping bags.
Where: 601 East Hastings, Vancouver. If you have a large amount of items, please call ahead to let them know.
Lookout Housing and Health Society
Items requested include winter hats, socks, jackets, gloves, rain ponchos, sleeping bags, and personal care products.
Where: Russell Housing Centre — 740 Carnarvon Street, New Westminster; North Shore Shelter — 705 West 2nd Street, North Vancouver; Front Room Resource Centre — 10667 135A Street, Surrey. Donors are asked to call ahead before donating.
Surrey Urban Mission
Items requested include warm jackets, pants (jeans, tights, sweatpants), new underwear and socks, shoes, T-shirts and sweaters.
Where: SUMS Place Temporary Shelter — 10776 King George Boulevard, Surrey
Do you have any other suggestions for places where warm clothing can be donated? Please let us know in the comments.