Need // Assist : Help is out there
FOOD
The food section below was last updated November 2025.
FOOD HAMPERS & GROCERIES
Don’t Go Hungry - Free Groceries. Every Saturday. Four locations in New Westminster and Burnaby. No Barriers. https://www.dontgohungry.ca/
QMUNITY Older Adults Food Security Assistance - Low income 55+ 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors can apply for monthly grocery cards. Contact the seniors specialist at seniors@qmunity.ca or 604-684-5307 to inquire.
New West Helping Hands - a group created and maintained by a small group of community members with a common goal of helping those in need, Food distributions on Mondays. For info join the Facebook Group -
Food for Families - prepackaged food hampers, Vancouver and Port Coquitlam - https://www.cityreach.org/foodforfamilies
St Joseph Parish, Port Moody - The All Were Filled Project offers free frozen food portions of hearty soups and/or entrées to put over rice, pasta, or potatoes. There is no qualifying requirement to receive the food, and your order is confidential. Every week, you can order your box of food by Friday at 5pm and pick it up or have it delivered on Friday afternoon of the following week. Just call 604-876-7826 or email parish.sjv@rcav.orgto. An order of a box contains 6 different dishes (7 servings each).
Richmond - Salvation Army- Richmond Community Church give out food hampers Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 2pm. 8280 Gilbert Road 604-277-2424 Piece of ID is required
MEALS
First United - We provide meal service daily in the Downtown Eastside (at the corner of Gore and Hastings St. at lunchtime) from our FIRST Food Truck. https://firstunited.ca/how-we-help/food-security
Breakfast and lunch - Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood house - https://www.dtesnhouse.ca/our-calendar
Our Place Food - Meals in Victoria - https://www.ourplacesociety.com/how-we-help/meals
Find Free Meals in Vancouver - https://boredinvancouver.com/free-food-in-vancouver/
CityReach Meals - https://www.cityreach.org/programs/foodforfamilies
List of Community Food Programs https://gwfoodconnection.com/community-food-programs/
Free and Low Cost Food, Groceries and prepared meals in North Vancouver
https://www.harvestproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Free-and-Low-Cost-Food.docx.pdf
FOOD BANKS & FOOD HUBS
Find Food - Great Vancouver Foodbanks - Locations, Schedules, Registration and What to Expect. https://foodbank.bc.ca/find-food/
Drop by the Collingwood Neighbourhood House (Official) Food Hub every Thursday from 12:15-1pm! Folks can get groceries at CNH Main's Gym A. No registration required, although folks will need to get a number from our volunteers to secure your spot in the line. Cards will be distributed starting at 11am.
Burnaby, Ryan’s Rainbow Emergency Food - Providing immediate relief for hunger in Burnaby https://www.rrefo.com/
Quest Food Access - must become a member - https://www.questoutreach.org/become-a-client/
The Kettle Society - https://www.thekettle.ca/what-we-do-1
Vancouver City Map - Free or low-cost food services - updated regularly. https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/free-and-low-cost-resources.aspx
Muslim Food Bank - serving the needs of people with special dietary needs - https://muslimfoodbank.com/food-bank
SFU Food Pantry - https://www.sfu.ca/communityengagement/food-security/sfu-food-pantry.html
UBC Food Bank - https://www.ams.ubc.ca/student-services/food-bank/
Vancouver Food Bank - https://foodbank.bc.ca
Saige Food Bank & Community Kitchen Trans, Two-spirit and Gender Diverse Safe Space. No ID, proof of housing, income or sign up. saigecommunityfoodbank.com
MUTUAL AID & GROCERIES
Vancouver Community Fridges - https://www.instagram.com/vancommunityfridgeproject
Share the Goods https://www.sharethegoods.ca/
WEBSITES FOR HELP
Updated December 2025
Helperos - https://helperos.com/
The Kettle Society - Help with housing, Replacing ID, Meals, Health Clinic. https://www.thekettle.ca/
Jewish Family Serivces Crisis Line - https://www.jfsvancouver.ca/jfs-cares/
Together Against Poverty - https://www.tapsbc.ca/
Networks in BC
BC Vancouver Queer Spoon Share
The group is open to all queer/LGBT+ folks who need help and/or want to offer help. You don’t have to be disabled to join. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1396955730605414/
Buy Nothing
Buy Nothing. Give Freely. Share Creatively. A gift economy’s real wealth is the people involved and the web of connections that forms to support them. Find a group near you. https://buynothingproject.org/find-a-group/#BC
Shop Local
Not Amazon - https://www.not-amazon.ca/
WOMEN
Elizabeth Fry Society Community Resources. We can help connect you with the tools and resources you need such as Employment, Housing, Childcare, Mental Health and more. https://efry.com/community-options/
Young Families of Metro Vancouver - https://yfmv.ca/
EFry - We’re here to help with shelter, family services, counselling, employment and educational support for women and children - https://www.elizabethfry.com/
Transition Houses & Safe Homes List https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/women-fleeing-violence/transition-houses-safe-homes
Ishtar - Women’s Resource Society - https://www.ishtarsociety.org/
Atira - Women’s Resource Society - https://atira.bc.ca/
Boom Group for Women and Children - https://www.thebloomgroup.org/our-work/women-children/
Nova Transition House provides temporary accommodation in a safe and secure environment for women and their children who are experiencing violence or are at risk of violence. http://www.chimoservices.com/get-help/nova-transition-house
Battered Women’s Support Services - Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) Crisis line remains open, providing emotional support to women experiencing gender-based domestic violence and/or uncertainty during these difficult times. https://www.bwss.org/
WISH Drop-in Centre - 330 Alexander Street - 6 pm - noon (the next day). Open to all self-identified women who are past or present sex workers. Meals, showers, support. https://wish-vancouver.net/program/drop-in-centre/
Leaving an Abusive Partner Checklist (written in the US but lots of good tips for Canada as well) - https://www.boredpanda.com/leaving-abusive-partner-relationship-advice
Mamas for Mamas FB Groups A good resource for families. there are groups for various areas of the Lower Mainland. Visit this main FB page and click on Groups to find yours. https://www.facebook.com/mamasformamas.org
Baby GoRound - BabyGoRound provides essential baby items including gear, diapers and clothing to families in need throughout the Lower Mainland. https://www.babygoround.ca
YOUTH
What’s On Queer BC Youth & Families Resources Page - https://www.whatsonqueerbc.com/woq-resources/youth-and-families
HEALTH
Updated Dec 2025
SENIORS - BC 211 - for seniors who need support with non-medical essentials, like grocery pick-up and drop off.. http://www.bc211.ca/
HEALTH LINK BC 811 - you can speak to a health service navigator, who can help you find health information and services; or connect you directly with a registered nurse, a registered dietitian, a qualified exercise professional, or a pharmacist. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/about-8-1-1
Emergency Wait Times Vancouver, Richmond, North Shore - http://www.edwaittimes.ca/WaitTimes.aspx
Hope Air - Medical Travel Assistance - https://hopeair.ca/
DENTIST
Canada Dental Plan https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html
Strive Non Profit Dental Clinic
Reduced Cost Clinics https://www.yourdentalhealth.ca/visiting-your-dentist/reduced-cost-clinics/
Lookout Dental Cinic - https://lookoutsociety.ca/lookout_projects/dental-clinic/
VIRTUAL DOCTORS
Rocket Doctor - Free BC Doctors online https://rocketdoctor.ca/rocket-doctor-bc/
Medimap.ca - Look up wait times at walk-in medical clinics in your community or consult with a doctor online in minutes. https://medimap.ca/
MedCare+ Virtual Clinic - http://www.medcareplus.ca/
Maple - Access Doctors any time - https://app.getmaple.ca/register
Tia Health: Online Appointments with Canadian Doctors - Free in BC with valid Health Card. https://tiahealth.com/
PETS
What’s On Queer’s Pet Resources page can be found here - https://whatsonqueerbc.com/woq-resources/pets-furbabies-are-family
HOUSING. RENT.
This section has not been updated
INFORMATION FOR TENANTS
Renting in BC - great video https://fb.watch/2a6dX8xU-M/
Together Against Poverty website - https://www.tapsbc.ca/co
Tenants Resource and Advisory Centre http://tenants.bc.ca/
Ending a Tenancy in BC - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies/ending-a-tenancy
This Lawyer Specializes in Renovictions for Vancouverites https://www.vanmag.com/this-lawyer-specializes-in-renovictions-for-vancouverites
Civil Resolution Housing Disputes Page - https://civilresolutionbc.ca/how-the-crt-works/getting-started/small-claims-solution-explorer/housing/
FINDING HOUSING
Weekly Housing listings from VATJSS - https://www.facebook.com/VATJSS/
Places to find Housing Listings PDF Click here
Street to home - https://www.streetohome.org
List of Shelters in Vancouver and Victoria from BC211 - http://www.bc211.ca/home
Kinbrace: Refuge Housing and Support - https://kinbrace.ca/
Carnegie Centre Outreach Prgorams - https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/carnegie-centre-outreach-programs.aspx
Lu’ma Native Housing Society http://lnhs.ca/
Kekinow Native Housing Society https://kekinow.ca/
Raincity Housing - https://www.raincityhousing.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/how-to-apply-for-raincity-housing-2019.pdf
Homeless Outreach - https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/homelessness-services/homeless-outreach-program
FACEBOOK PAGES
For Rent Vancouver (Pet Friendly) Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1496860397306993/
For Rent Vancouver https://www.facebook.com/groups/203832913156085/
Vancouver Collective Houses Network https://www.facebook.com/groups/vancouvercollectivehousenetwork/
Things
Updated December 2025
BEDS
WRAGS Bed Warehouse is a non-profit organization that provides good quality used beds as is to those in need, and cleaned, sanitized used beds to those on income assistance. https://wragsbc.wixsite.com/wrags
BIKES
Hub Cycling Bike Match Program https://www.facebook.com/wearehub/
Our Community Bikes - https://pedalpower.org/
Kickstand - Low-cost parts and DIY space for bike repair. https://www.eastvankickstand.org/
TECHNOLOGY
Mobility for Good for Seniors and Youth - free smartphone and subsidized mobility rate plan. Mobility for Good for Seniors and Youth - free smartphone and subsidized mobility rate plan.
Youth Apply Here - https://www.telus.com/en/about/youth/application
Seniors Apply Here - https://www.telus.com/en/about/seniors/application
BC Technology for Learning Request Tech - https://reusetechbc.ca/home
COUNSELLING & SUPPORT
What’s On Queer BC Counselling & Support Page can be found here https://whatsonqueerbc.com/woq-resources/lgbtq-therapy-counselling-support
CRISIS
Crisis Line: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/mental-health-substance-use/resources/crisis-line
BC Crisis Centre Get Help - https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/get-help/
BEREAVEMENT
BC Bereavement Helpline https://www.bcbh.ca/
RESOURCES
This section has not been updated
Vancouver Queer Spoon Share
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1396955730605414/
The Kettle ID Bank assists low income, homeless, and/or marginally housed individuals in obtaining and safely storing ID. This service is available to individuals living in Vancouver, and operates on a drop-in basis. No appointment is necessary. https://www.thekettle.ca/what-we-do/kettle-community-services/id-bank/
Stronger Minds - Free Digital Program https://www.mindbeacon.com/strongerminds
Canadian Mental Health Association - Not Myself Today https://cmha.ca/
Battered Women’s Support Services - Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) Crisis line remains open, providing emotional support to women experiencing gender-based domestic violence and/or uncertainty during these difficult times. https://www.bwss.org/
Stigma-Free COVID-19 Youth Wellness Toolkit https://stigmafreetoolkit.com/
Simple Minds - Mental health simplified is a three month program that creates a foundation to heal from your pain, and to find your purpose in this life. https://simplifiedmind.ca/
Anxiety Canada, anxiety resources - https://www.anxietycanada.com/
Psychologist Recommended Mental Health Apps - https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/how-do-life/201510/top-apps-your-mental-health
Bell Let’s Talk - Canadian Resources and information - https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/get-help/
Canadian Mental Health Association - https://cmha.bc.ca/covid-19-stay-well-in-uncertain-times/
List of FREE Self Care Resources - http://www.compassionwithin.com/blog/covid-19-resources-compassion-courage-in-times-of-change
Feast: Support and Resources for families affected by eating disorders. https://www.feast-ed.org/
OTHER RESOURCES
This section has not been updated
Sher Legal Resources for LGBTQ+ Community http://www.shervancouver.com/resources.html
Free and Low Cost Legal Counselling https://www.justiceeducation.ca/legal-help/legal-help-bc/getting-legal-help/free-and-low-cost-legal-services
Access Pro Bono - http://www.accessprobono.ca/
MOSAIC is one of the largest settlement non-profit organizations in Canada. We serve immigrant, refugee, migrant and mainstream communities in Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley as well as throughout the province of BC and overseas via online programs. https://www.mosaicbc.org/
IFRC Society - Help for persons with disabilities access funding - https://www.ifrcsociety.org/
Baby GoRound - BabyGoRound provides essential baby items including gear, diapers and clothing to families in need throughout the Lower Mainland. https://www.babygoround.ca
Canada Council for the Arts Covid-19 Info Page https://canadacouncil.ca/covid-19-information
Free clothes - Clothes2U - in Langley/Surrey - https://clothes2u.ca/schedule-of-events
Free anything - offer or take - https://www.freecycle.org/
Telus INTERNET FOR GOOD 9.95 per month https://www.telus.com/.../cause-campaigns/internet-for-good Internet for Good is available to those who receive the BC Persons with Disability (PWD) benefit or the Alberta Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) benefit from the provincial governments or the Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit (CPPD).
JOB OFFERS & RESOURCES
This section has not been updated
Queer Jobs and Career Opportunities https://whatsonqueerbc.com/woq-resources/jobs-career-employment
Need Work Gear? Working Gear provides work related clothing and footwear free of charge to individuals re-entering the workforce. https://workinggear.ca/our-services/
BC Infrastructure Benefits Inc. priority hires groups underrepresented in infrastructure, including members of LGBTQ2S+ community, for our BC infrastructure projects - and they’re currently hiring. https://www.bcib.ca/job-application/ or Information Events https://www.facebook.com/events/1141142182902856/
Facebook Jobs Listings https://www.facebook.com/jobs/
Grizzly Force - https://www.grizzlyforce.ca/
FoodWorks - Local sustainable food jobs - http://www.foodwork.ca/jobs.php
Facebook Jobs Board - https://www.facebook.com/groups/605829739490836/
Vancouver Job Opportunities - https://do604.com/p/vancouver-job-opportunities
Craigslist - GIGS - https://vancouver.craigslist.org/d/gigs/search/ggg
Agriculture - Employment opportunities available in the agriculture and agri-food sector. http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/canadian-agri-food-sector/step-up-to-the-plate-help-feed-canadians/
Futurpreneur - Thinking of a business idea? Loans of up to $60,000. Check these people out - https://www.futurpreneur.ca/en/
77 Ways to Make Extra Money in Canada - https://www.savvynewcanadians.com/how-to-make-extra-money-canada
Concerns about Covid-19 and the workplace https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/covid-19-updates/covid-19-returning-safe-operation/restaurant-cafes-pubs
Workers and employers with questions or concerns about workplace exposure to COVID-19 can call WorkSafeBC’s Prevention Information Line at 604.276.3100 in the Lower Mainland (toll-free within B.C. at 1.888.621.SAFE).
Jobs for Writers in Vancouver - https://vancouverwritingjobs.ca/
Jobs at Cosmic Medical - https://jobsite.etalentcanada.ca/jobs-at/cosmic-medical/830
JOB INDEXING SITES
Ziprecruiter - https://www.ziprecruiter.com/
eTalentCanada digital labour market - https://www.etalentcanada.ca/
Indeed Canada - https://ca.indeed.com/
DTES GUIDE
This section has not been updated
Meals, Services, Spaces - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1caTGwVaQHVl6EQfpyWyNFgy9_5PWPvYWHZ70KjL67qk/edit#gid=0
Linkvan.ca - for information on where to get food, shelter information
Vancouver Emergency Meals Map - https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?fbclid=IwAR253xNbAn749cOhBl2-6Ntfp41KJj-CaMryCQ79zJgy4JHGRtjVuqZ-SbE&ll=49.28285685279972%2C-123.09696064863329&z=15&mid=11gyzTVyoZqSsUL7_-k6FbbElF3slegRv
Resources for Sex Workers in the DTES During Covid-19 PDF Click here
Pivot Legal’s Big Resource List for the DTES - http://www.pivotlegal.org/covid_19_resource_list
TO HELP THROUGH DONATIONS
DTES Response - https://dtesresponse.ca/
DTES Neighbourhood House - https://dtesnhouse.ca
Everyone is In - https://everybodyisin.org/
ABOUT THIS PAGE - This is a list of resources for people who need help or who are wanting to offer help. The page was originally put together during the Covid 19 pandemic. A lot has changed since thing, but many people still need help and many resources are still out there.
We are slowly updating the different sections. Some are current, some have not yet been updated. They are marked as such.
To help us with udpates, send links or bug reports to whatsonqueerbc@gmail.com
A sincere thank you to all the amazing volunteers who helped so many through the difficult pandemic months.
2SLGBTQIA+ Survival Guide
If you’re coming to Vancouver for Pride, or are new to the neighbourhood, you’ll want to keep on hand the Sher Vancouver Survival Guide.
Stay safe, find current alerts.
211 is a free and confidential service that connects people to helpful and vital resources in their community.
