Donation Wishlist & FAQ

Thank you for your generosity in bringing your new or gently used donations to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre! Your contributions tangibly support women every single day. To best ensure we meet women’s needs, please read the following FAQ before dropping off your donation.

What do you accept?

Our most urgent needs at this time are:

• Big bars of soap
• Rain gear (coats, umbrellas)
• Deodorant, razors
• Menstrual pads
• Incontinence supplies (like Tena, Poise)
• Socks, underwear, bras (new or gently used)
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Perfume, make-up (unopened preferred)
• Q-tips, ear plugs
• Toiletries – shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion (travel sized preferred)
• Band-aids and other First Aid supplies
• Luggage / bags with wheels
• Winter clothing (hats, scarves, coats)

We also accept:

• Hand cream
• Blankets, linens, towels
• Footwear, purses, suitcases
• Women’s clothing (in good condition)
• Reading glasses
• Books, magazines, DVDs
• Art supplies (canvasses, paint, pastels) and craft supplies (beads and beading supplies, knitting needles, crochet hooks, yarn or wool, buttons)

This page will be updated according to our needs. Please click here to find a list of other organizations that may accept items not on our wishlist.

When can I drop off my donation?

Our donation drop off hours are as follows:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10 am-12 pm, 2.30-4.30 pm
Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday: 2.30-4.30 pm

If you cannot drop off during these hours, call 604-681-8480 to make alternate arrangements. 

Do you take children’s clothing or children’s toys?

No, sorry. You can try Crabtree Corner or Sheway.

How should I bring my donation?

Please bring your donation in boxes or bags, ready for drop-off. We do not have containers on site to hold donations and cannot return your reusable bins. Thank you!

Where do I park?

We are located at 302 Columbia St, on the corner of Cordova St: the grey unmarked door underneath the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre sign. There is street parking available on Columbia St. and Cordova St. as well as a parkade on Cordova. If you cannot find parking right next to the Centre, come in and ask staff to assist you in bringing your donation inside. We have a trolley we can use for larger donations. 

Can men come inside to drop-off donations?

No, we are a women-only space. If men are dropping off donations, please ring the doorbell and inform staff you have donations to drop off. Thank you for your understanding and for cooperating with this policy.

What days are you closed?

We are closed on the following days and cannot accept donations:

• September 20, 2017
• October 25, 2017
• November 22, 2017
• December 20, 2017

Do you take furniture and/or housewares?

No, unfortunately we do not have the capacity to take these donations.

We receive a high volume of emails inquiring about specific items and unfortunately cannot respond to them all. As we have limited space, our urgently-needed items are our top priority. Please consult the FAQ above before contacting us.

Thank you for supporting the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre!