Food Resources

DTES Food Programs
The Downtown Eastside (DTES) Food Initiatives provide a range of food-related programs for individuals living in the DTES area.
Programs Offered:
  • Communal kitchens
  • Weekly communal kitchen for Chinese elders
  • Aboriginal community kitchen
The communal kitchens provide a space for people to come together and prepare wholesome meals while building community. Some of the meals produced in these communal kitchens are taken home by the participants.
The DTES Food Initiatives also offer community drop-in programs on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
Community Drop-In Programs:
  • Hot lunch served on Mondays and Wednesdays
  • Oatmeal served on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays
  • Banana Beat program that distributes bananas to people waiting in line on welfare day
The organization promotes food-related education through various channels, including workshops, theatre, art, movies, music, and the "Right to Food Zine" publication.

The DTES Food Initiatives provide essential food-related programs and services to individuals living in the DTES area, helping to build community and promote food security.
Physical address:
573 East Hastings Street
Tel: 6042152030

Heart Tattoo Society
The Downtown Eastside (DTES) Meals program provides weekly meals to DTES residents.
Weekly Meals:
  • Meals are cooked and catered
  • Provided on Mondays and Thursdays
  • No restrictions on who can receive food
  • Utensils are provided
  • Delivery is available for those in need
The program offers special holiday meals on:
  • Christmas Day, Easter, Thanksgiving
  • Valentine's Day
  • Canada Day
  • Truth and Reconciliation Day
  • Remembrance Day

Overdose Prevention Society
BBQ Mondays
99 West Pender Street
3:30 pm to 6 pm
Holiday meals include: Christmas, Valentine's, Easter, Canada Day, Thanksgiving and Remembrance Day.

Smoke Signals
BBQ Thursdays
161 East Cordova Street
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Holiday meals include: Truth and Reconciliation Day
Physical address: 41 East Hastings Street,
604-679-4019

Potluck Cafe Society

  • The Potluck Cafe is a social enterprise that serves affordable, wholesome meals
  • The cafe is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday
  • The organization runs several community programs
  • The Job Program offers on-the-job training and life skills support to Downtown Eastside residents who face employment barriers
  • The Community Meal Program provides free meals to a specific group of 100 residents struggling with physical, mental, and addiction health issues
  • The Community Kitchen offers an opportunity to learn basic cooking and nutrition skills and foster relationships with neighbors
  • Physical address: 30 West Hastings Street
  • Phone number: 604-609-7368

Neighbourhood Helpers Meal Project

  • Outreach and community development services are provided to residents of the West End, Downtown, or Yaletown areas, as well as to those staying in motels with single rooms.
  • The services are targeted towards people aged 50 and older, as well as towards people aged 45 and older who have a disability or are struggling financially.
  • Hospital visits are available as part of the outreach services.
  • Health clinics are available to eligible individuals as part of the community development services.
  • One-on-one support is available for those who need it.
  • Community meals are provided as part of the organization's services.
  • Coffee time is also available for individuals to socialize and meet new people.

Physical address:
3rd Floor-1067 Seymour Street
604-688-6851
604-688-6846​

Morning Star

​Morning Star provides homeless persons with showers, a community meal, a clothing exchange, housing advocacy, outreach, and referrals.
Program hours are 7 am to 9:30 am Saturdays.
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Physical address:
5288 Joyce Street
Contact Information:
604-435-0323

Engaged Communities Canada Society

The Lower Mainland community is supported by a program that focuses on closing systemic gaps for marginalized areas. The program provides a range of services to vulnerable communities, including those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. These services include:
  • Food and hygiene products
  • Personal hygiene services
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Overdose prevention education and resources
  • Youth programming, including academic support, mentorship, athletics, and outdoor adventures
The program also provides Fraser Health region residents with free take-home, quick COVID-19 test kits. These services are provided at no cost and are delivered by volunteers, supported by donations. Daily location changes can be found on social media.
Physical address:
2889-495 West Georgia Street
778-223-6987