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. If you have any other questions, feel free to call Celine at 604-681-8480.

What do you accept?

Our most urgent needs at this time are:

• Dinner plates for our kitchen
• Menstrual pads
• Incontinence supplies (like Tena, Poise)
• Socks, underwear, bras
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Toiletries – shampoo, conditioner, soap (travel sized preferred), razors
• Band-aids and other First Aid supplies

We also accept:

• Make-up (unopened preferred), hand cream
• Blankets, linens, towels
• Footwear, purses, suitcases
• Women’s clothing (in good condition)
• Umbrellas and rain gear
• 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.

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. 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:

• August 23, 2017
• 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.

Do you take ________?

If you would like to inquire about special items or seasonal needs, or your question about donations has still not been answered, get in touch: 604-681-8480 or engagement@dewc.ca. Please click here to find a list of other organizations that may accept items not on our wishlist.

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