Warm Clothing Donation Sites in Vancouver

Comments 24 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Ducking into our houses to escape the ghosts made with our breaths, we grab our flannel pijamas, fleece blankets, and cozy-up on the couch to keep warm for the evening. Unfortunately for many in Vancouver, this just cannot and does not happen. Hundreds are on the streets and in shelters, without the luxury of a Snuggie or even a pair of wool socks.

Winter Wonderland
Photo credit: Tom Wiebe on Flickr

Warm Clothing Donation Sites in Vancouver

I know that every one of us probably has a perfectly good coat in the closet that just isn’t worn anymore or a pair of brand new hoodies that are just a few sizes too big. This is your chance to clear out your storage spaces, boxes and bins, and give these items to those who could really use them. Here’s an easy reference list of donation drop off locations around Vancouver:

Covenant House BC
Location: 575 Drake Street, Vancouver, BC
Needed items: New hoodies, coats, running shoes (for men and women, assorted sizes).

Sock Granny Sock Drive
Location: Little Mountain Place, 330 East 36th Ave (and various Starbucks)
Needed: Socks, toques, travel mugs, underwear and tea bags will be donated to MPA Society.

First United Church
Location: 320 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Neeeded: Warm jackets, toques, vests, warm shirts, pants shoes, socks, and underwear.

Lookout Emergency Shelter
Location: 346 Alexander, Vancouver. Call (604) 255-0340 for drop-off instructions
Needed: Blankets and comfort items (toothbrushes, combs, bandaids)

Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre
Location: 302 Columbia Street, Vancouver
Needed: Warm clothing, socks, underwear, outer wear.

The Salvation Army Harbour Light
Location: 119 East Cordova Street
Needed: Blankets, underwear, socks, jackets, gloves/mittens, scarves, and hats.

Blanket Drive at various real estate offices
Locations: Download this PDF for a list of locations in Metro Vancouver
Needed: Warm blankets

Blanket Drive on the Line
Location: 12 SkyTrain and Canada Line stations on Friday November 26, 2010
Needed: Warm blankets collected on behalf of BlanketBC

City of Vancouver Archives
Location: Vanier Park
Needed: Warm clothing donations that will be dropped off at The Gathering Place.

Union Gospel Mission – UGM Outreach Team
Location: 616 E Cordova Street
Needed: Warm clothing items, new and gently-worn.

Two years ago a group of people took it upon themselves to make a difference. They connected through Twitter and came together for a Tweetup Heatup, collecting coats and warm clothing donations to hand out in the Downtown Eastside. This sparked Tweetup Heatups in several other cities across North America including Pittsburgh.

One small gesture, one afternoon, can make a difference. Let’s make sure all Vancouverites can get through this cold snap.

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24 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. sueWednesday, November 24th, 2010 — 9:24am PST

    Downtown Eastside Woman’s Center(302 Columbia) (DEWC) is always in need of warm clothing socks underwear outer wear. The day center is closed come 5pm , but we also have a night shelter that we supply with the essentials blankets & clothing a warm meal ect. If you could add us to your list that would be great! Thanks

  2. Rebecca BollwittWednesday, November 24th, 2010 — 9:35am PST

    @sue Great suggestion. I actually fired them an email this morning to see where/how people can drop off clothing.

  3. annWednesday, November 24th, 2010 — 9:48am PST

    Great posting, Rebecca – you are really wonderful to alert people to the tremendous need this time of year.

  4. DavidWednesday, November 24th, 2010 — 1:25pm PST

    Great info. Thank-you. Are you aware of any drop off locations in Surrey and or Langley areas?

  5. lizWednesday, November 24th, 2010 — 3:41pm PST

    I love this!Lead the charge RB

  6. MarianneWednesday, November 24th, 2010 — 3:46pm PST

    Hi Rebecca! At The Salvation Army Harbour Light, we would be thrilled to receive blankets, underwear, socks, jackets, gloves/mittens, scarves, and hats for our clients. We’re also handing out those instant-heat hand warmers when we have them. Donations accepted at our front desk at 119 East Cordova.

    Thank you for spreading the word about these needs!

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  8. Sue BigelowThursday, November 25th, 2010 — 10:32am PST

    We are collecting warm clothing and hygiene items at the Archives (in Vanier Park), and we’ll be passing them on to The Gathering Place. More here: http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/archives/news.htm#gatheringplace

  9. iainThursday, November 25th, 2010 — 3:44pm PST

    Thank you Rebecca,

    Yes, all these darn coats need to go somewhere, now we know where.
    Those of us that have been blessed, or is it cursed, with so much stuff are now seeing the light. Christmas is here and it is the best time of the year to open up your heart to those who struggle to keep their heat warm everyday.

    thank you,

    iain

  10. People need clothes in this cold weather « GoGo Bonkers! BlogThursday, November 25th, 2010 — 4:06pm PST

    […] I know I do, and thanks to Rebecca Bollwitt, who is also known as “Miss 604” we know WHERE to drop them of here in the Metro-Vancouver […]

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  12. andreTuesday, November 30th, 2010 — 10:31am PST

    I think I heard about a donation centre that had just moved a few blocks over on East Broadway somewhere as well…I might be getting it confused with a shelter though.

  13. CrisitoTuesday, November 30th, 2010 — 10:56pm PST

    this is sooo great and useful!!! Exaclty what I need to organize a clothing drive with my church! Thank you so much!!!

  14. DanaWednesday, December 1st, 2010 — 12:20pm PST

    Thank you for promoting the REALTORS Care Blanket Drive. A better link than the one above is: http://www.blanketdrive.ca

    This annual event operates in Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley, and Chilliwack and District, from Whistler to Hope. A list of all drop-off locations, what donations are most needed (not just blankets but warm clothing, too), and what charities receive the donations can be found at http://www.blanketdrive.ca.

    Thanks again!

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    […] of Miss604 fame takes a moment to consider the less fortunate this winter. She lists several warm clothing donation sites in Vancouver. If you happen to have a spare sweater or coat, those less fortunate will surely […]

  16. In the Bleak Midwinter | One Wet FootTuesday, December 14th, 2010 — 11:09pm PST

    […] Centre and there are some ongoing clothing drives happening in the city. Here’s a great list compiled by Miss 604 of locations accepting donations. Coastal Health is also running its Sox in the City campaign again […]

  17. Louise BoutinTuesday, December 28th, 2010 — 10:35am PST

    Thanks miss604! I do the blanket drive organized by the Realestate Board every year.I know first hand how much these organizations appreciate our help.

  18. BryanSunday, January 9th, 2011 — 7:43pm PST

    I live in the south delta area & have some men’s coats to donate. Where might be the nearest place?

  19. RebeccaThursday, February 24th, 2011 — 4:49pm PST

    Hey, R;
    Do you know if anyone is taking kid’s jackets? I have a couple hand-me-downs and my son just needs one!
    Thx

  20. Natalie Anne LanovilleMonday, January 30th, 2012 — 4:27pm PST

    Hi Rebecca:

    Thanks so much for promoting the needs of Vancouver’s most marginalised! This winter hasn’t been as cold as last year (so far), but agencies still need warm clothing etc. We at First United appreciate the shout-out, and thanks for all the good work you do for Vancouver.

  21. Vancouver Daily DealsMonday, January 30th, 2012 — 5:34pm PST

    Does in other city do you have more location to be drop by?Great job!

  22. Don’t dump your old stuff — donate it! – Green Challenge Waste ManagementTuesday, May 29th, 2012 — 12:27pm PDT

    […] Don’t dump your old stuff — donate it! – At Green Challenge Waste Management we give used items new life by contributing them to the right places.  For an easy reference list of warm clothing donation drop off locations around Vancouver click here. […]

  23. Kelly MWednesday, November 21st, 2012 — 1:04pm PST

    I have my bag full of blankets, toques, gloves and some pillows to drop off at the Canada Line this weekend..
    Can’t wait to make a difference is someone’s life.. It warms my heart even more to give…

  24. CayCeeMonday, December 24th, 2012 — 2:43pm PST

    Looking to donate some hoodies, jackets, toques, shoes, etc but I don’t want them to be resold! Where in Vancouver can I do this?

    Thanks

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