Donate Goods
By donating goods, you give families across BC the tools they need for stability, comfort and opportunity.
If you have new, sealed items to donate, please contact us at donations@ywcabc.org or 604 895 5850 to determine where to deliver the item.
Your in-kind donations are eligible for a tax receipt if the items are new and a sales receipt is provided (please refer to CRA guidelines for details). Due to health and safety considerations, we are unable to accept most used items, and we unfortunately don’t have the resources to pick up donations.
Please note: Crabtree Corner's lobby is undergoing renovation and we are accepting limited amount of donations at this time. If you have items you’d like to donate, please call or email us to confirm if we can accept your donations.
Many of the families that move into YWCA second-stage transition housing arrive with nothing but their clothing. Second-stage housing is where women can begin to rebuild their lives away from an abusive partner.
The YWCA provides furnished apartments, emotional support, information and referrals, safety planning and court accompaniment. Your group can help this difficult transition by purchasing and assembling House Warming Baskets for families when they first arrive.
Below is a list of suggested items and you are welcome to add other items that you think may be useful. Approximate cost: $300.
Food
- Grocery gift cards ($100 suggested value)
- Baking soda, baking powder
- Rice
- Flour
- Pasta
- Vinegar
- Cooking oil
- Sugar
- Tea
- Salt & Pepper
Toiletries
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Soap
- Sanitary products
- Toilet paper
Household items
- Clothes hangers
- Energy-efficient light bulbs – 40 & 60 watts
- Laundry detergent
- Dish soap
Pantry items
- Tinfoil
- Plastic wrap
- Sandwich bags
- Pot scrubbers
Nice to have
- New sheets, blankets, towels
Email Zoë Stronge at zstronge@ywcabc.org
At YWCA Crabtree Corner, we support women experiencing homelessness, poverty, substance use, violence and health challenges in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Every day, women come through our doors seeking support — and often, they simply want the basics to care for themselves.
Self-Care Kits are a simple yet impactful way to show care and solidarity. Each kit provides a woman with essential hygiene and personal care items. You can help by assembling kits with your friends, family or colleagues and delivering them directly to Crabtree Corner.
Self-Care Kits its are always needed. With your support, we can ensure women who turn to us never leave empty-handed.
Make it a Team-Building Event
Organizing a volunteer assembly day with your workplace, community group or friends? It’s a meaningful and fun way to give back, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. We can provide clear assembly instructions and a sample purchasing guide to get you started.
Here are a few ways we can make your experience even more impactful:
- Interested in a speaker to attend your event? We’d love to share more about YWCA Crabtree Corner and the impact of your donation.
- Want to see your impact firsthand? We can arrange a tour of Crabtree Corner when you drop off your kits.
- We’d also be happy to recognize your group’s contribution on social media.
- Tax receipts are available for in-kind donations if the items are new and sales receipts are provided.
How to Build a Self-Care Kit
Kits can be customized based on your budget and the number of volunteers available. No two kits need to look the same, and every item counts!
In a large resealable (ziplock/freezer) bag, include such items as:
-
mini deodorant
-
shampoo
-
conditioner
-
bar of soap
-
lip balm
-
dental kit (toothbrush & toothpaste)
-
pads
-
tampons
-
pair of new socks
-
first aid package in a smaller plastic bag
-
band-aids
-
antiseptic wipes
-
-
treat (like a granola bar or small chocolate)
Other useful items:
- hand cream
- small hairbrush & hair ties
- underwear (please mark sizes on the bag)
- razors
- women's incontinence products
- a small card or note of encouragement
Delivery Details
Completed self-care kits can be delivered to:
YWCA Crabtree Corner Community
533 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Monday to Friday, 10:00am – 3:00pm
Please be sure to label each box with the number of kits it contains. If you have leftover items that don’t make it into full kits, you can still donate these as loose supplies.
To request a speaker for your assembly event, or book a tour of Crabtree Corner:
Email Zoë Stronge at zstronge@ywcabc.org
Support YWCA BC by donating your empty containers through our bottle drive. Your contributions will help fund housing and programs that make a difference for women and families living in low-income households in our communities.
How to donate:
- Collect & Bag: Gather your containers in a clear or transparent bags up to 90‐litre capacity. Tip: No sorting needed! Max 12 glass bottles per bag.
- Find a Depot: Go to return-it.ca/locations to find your nearest Return-It Express depot location.
- At the Express Kiosk: Enter our Donations phone number: 604 895 5850
- Label Bags: Print out your labels and stick them on the bags. Each bag will need a label.
- Drop Off: Drop off your labeled bags in the designated Express drop‐off area.
Depot staff will sort and count your empty containers. We will receive your contribution within 10 business days. Funds are then directed to support our programs.
If you already have a Return-It Express account, you can set up automatic donations by selecting YWCA BC to receive your balance.
Don’t have an account yet?
Sign up here.
Questions?
Call us at 604 895 5850 or email donations@ywcabc.org
