Christmas time has always been one of my favourite times of the year. I love the lights, markets, festive events, and spending time with family and friends. I am lucky to have a job I love, supportive family and friends, food, and shelter. Unfortunately, many people in Vancouver are struggling, and many community organizations need us to donate money, clothing, blankets, or other essentials. Here’s a curated list of places you can donate to and make someone’s holiday a little brighter.
The following organizations are looking for clothing and other items:
Greater Vancouver Food Bank
- Location: Online at Greater Vancouver Food Bank | Providing fresh food to those in need or by donating cash, debit, and credit at their Winston Street Main Office Monday to Friday 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. Cheques can be mailed to the main office.
In addition, the Food Bank is sponsoring several special events this holiday season.
Jazz Feeds Vancouver is a month-long multi-venue event including 11 performances featuring local jazz artists Brad Turner, Bonnie Northgraves, Jimi James, and Jodi Proznick. The concerts will take place at La Fabriques St-George, Guilt & Co., Frankie’s Jazz Club, 2nd Floor Gastown, The Painted Ship, Chill X Studios, Tyrant Studios, The Heatley, Hero’s Welcome, and the Lido. The first concert raised over $500. For more information, check the Infidels website at Jazz Music Vancouver – The Infidels Jazz.
Totally Twain, a Shania Twain tribute band, is hosting their first holiday charity concert with all proceeds going to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. The performance is on Thursday, December 14, at 7 pm at the Historic Cultch Theatre, and tickets are $30.
Food Bank Friday is a virtual fundraiser taking place on December 15th, from 6 am to 6 pm. The event is hosted by JACK 96.9 supported by SONiC, CityNews 1130, and Sportsnet 650.
Other ways to donate to the food bank include dropping off food items at your local Safeway store.
Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre
- Locations:
- Drop-in Centres at 302 Columbia St, Vancouver, and 25 E Hastings, Vancouver
- Emergency Shelter 412 E Cordova, Vancouver
- Warming & Respite Space 265 E Hastings, Vancouver
- Items Needed: Leggings, jeans, hoodies, t-shirts, socks, shoes, bras, and outerwear. View the full wish list here and drop off instructions.
Aunt Leah’s Place
- Location: 8380 Street George Street #101, Vancouver
- The Donation Centre is open for donation drop-offs by appointment only at 604-230-0941.
- Items Needed: Pants, shirts, jackets, shoes, hats, and belts. For more information, visit Supporting Youth from Foster Care | Aunt Leah’s.
The Vancouver Women’s Health Collective
- Location: 29 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
- Items Needed: Socks, underwear, bras, deodorant, casual or unisex clothing, new or gently used makeup, reusable tote bags and purses, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, lotion, gift cards for drugstores, office supplies, and grocery stores, jewellery, and perfume.
- Donations are accepted on Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 5. For more information, check their website at womenshealthcollective.ca.
Union Gospel Mission
- Location: 601 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
- UGM’s Donation Centre is located inside the UGM Thrift Store. Donations can be dropped off Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at the front door of the Thrift Store or in the Loading Bay in the back alleyway off Heatley Ave.
- Items Needed: Socks, underwear, hats, gloves, shoes, long underwear, shirts, sweatshirts, pants, and outerwear. Visit Union Gospel Mission | Transforming Communities One Life At A Time for more information.
Covenant House Vancouver – Wildlife Thrift
- Location: Box at Wildlife Thrift Store (1295 Granville St, Vancouver)
- Items Needed: Jackets and hoodies, umbrellas, rain ponchos, socks, and sweatpants. For more information, visit Covenant House Vancouver: Covenant House Vancouver.
Holiday Hampers and Adopt a Family Programs
- Covenant House Vancouver – Backpack Campaign and Caring Calendar
- Location: 1280 Seymour Street, Vancouver by December 15
- Items Needed: Socks, boxer briefs, shampoo, conditioner, travel size toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, hairbrushes, shaving cream, t-shirts, hoodies, and gift cards from $5 to $20.
- CityReach Care Society – Boxes of Love
- Location: Cash donations can be made online at CityReach Care Society.
- Face of Today Holiday Hampers
- Location: Cash donations can be made online between $100 and $500 at Holiday Hampers — Face Of Today Foundation.
The Shoebox Project
- Locations:
- Rain of Shine Ice Cream, all locations
- One Love Hemp Company, 1449 Kingsway, Vancouver
- Jump Gymnastics (City Square Mall), 555 W 12th Avenue, #155, Vancouver
- La Canadienne Retail Shoe Company, 779 Burrard St, Vancouver
- Suetables Inc., 2715 Granville Street, Vancouver
- Items Needed: A decorated shoebox filled with $50 of gifts and essentials for women. Deadline December 13, 2023. For more information, visit The Shoebox Project: Vancouver.
YWCA
- Locations: Contact donations@ywcavan.org or call 604-895-5850 for drop-off locations.
- Items needed: Shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, women’s underwear, diapers and pull ups, baby wipes, combs, and brushes. Visit Donate Goods | YWCA Metro Vancouver for more information.
Westcoast Family Centres – Sponsor a Family and Holiday Hampers
- Location: Sign up and donate online at Westcoast Family Centres.
Vancouver Street Store
- Location: December 9 at the Overdose Prevention Society (144 E Hastings Street) from 10 am to 2 pm
- Items Needed: Men’s winter jackets, pants, medium and large backpacks, blankets, underwear, towels, sleeping bags, socks, gloves, scarves, hats, winter boots, and new toiletries. Individual and corporate donations can also be made at Vancouver Street Store 10.0 – Employ To Empower.
