Ways to Donate

Ways to Donate

Donating to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre allows us to make a difference in the lives of the 1,200 women we serve every day.

With each donation, you help us ensure that our safe spaces remain open and accessible, and that our services are available to those who need them.

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Financial Donations

Donate Goods

We are always looking for items to help the women we serve stay dry, warm, and safe. See all needed items here.

Wishlist by location:

The Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre is a registered charity Charitable Registration #12989 5959 RR0001.
Tax receipts are available for donations of $10 or more.

FAQs - Financial Donations

Are you a registered charity?

The Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre is a registered charity Charitable Registration #12989 5959 RR0001.

Can I get a tax receipt?

Tax receipts are available for donations of $10 or more. Please note that some donations (ex. pooled funds, third-party events, foundations, and community groups) are not tax receiptable, as per CRA regulations. If you have questions about this or your donation in general, contact us at engagement@dewc.ca

FAQs - Donation of Goods

Do you accept used donations?

We are grateful to accept gently used and new donations of clothing, towels, sheets, and other supplies. Shower supplies that were very recently opened and sampled once or twice are also accepted. Please note that make-up, underwear, and personal items should be NEW only (for hygienic reasons). We respectfully ask that you only drop off donations that you, yourself might want to receive!

How should I package/bring my donation?

All clothing or used items must be cleaned/laundered prior to drop-off. We prefer to receive items in plastic bags, sanitized (if possible) and ready for drop-off. Please come to the door when you arrive and speak with a staff member OR follow instructions above/from our team if you are visiting a shelter location.

I have a large donation or I would like to run a donation drive.

Please get in touch before dropping off a large donation. We appreciate your generosity and understanding; we have limited storage and can only accept certain amounts at a time.

Are you currently accepting make-up items?

We are accepting new make-up items only.

Where do I park at the Drop-in Centre?

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. You’ll be able to spot our building by our outdoor patio (out front) and its colourful mural, painted by community artists. 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 to the door 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 come to the door/ring the doorbell and inform staff you have donations to drop off. Thank you for your understanding and for cooperating with this policy.

Can I get a receipt for my in-kind donation?

Yes you can, we just need a document proving the value of the items you dropped-off  (typically: an invoice, price tags, screen shots of online listings or assessment from professionals). Please reach out to the fundraising team by emailing engagement@dewc.ca to claim your receipt.

Do you accept household items, furniture, or appliances?

No, we are unable to accept household items (e.g. furniture, suitcases, chairs, toasters, cutlery, mugs, plates) due to space restrictions.

Do you accept kid’s clothing or toys?

Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to manage donations of children’s clothing or used toys/other items. For donations of children’s clothing or other items, please reach out to Sheway or Crabtree Corner.

What days are you closed?

Our shelter are open every day.

Our drop-in centres are closed on Income Assistance Payment dates.