Physical Donations

WISH is pleased to be able to receive physical donations from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

If you cannot come during these times, please email us at info[at]wishdropincentre.org, or call 604-669-9474 and we can figure out a time that works for you. We are happy to work with you in receiving your donations!

Thank you for remaining loyal donors to WISH; we are so grateful to you for collecting donations and contributing essential life-improving items to WISH participants. We have made several changes to our donations procedure. Even if you are a long-time donor, please read the information below thoroughly.

Physical donations that are clean and in good condition help our budget to go further and ensures participants who access WISH receive the essentials that many of us take for granted to live a healthy, comfortable life. Thanks to your donations, a wide range of clothing and hygiene items are available to women who would otherwise go without.  If you don’t have any of the items below, but would still like to support WISH, financial donations are always appreciated. You can donate here!

Drop-Off Location:

WISH Administration Office, 334 Alexander Street, V6A 1C3

(Looking at the grey WISH building from the street, there are two entrances, one on the right and one on the left end.  Please go to the entrance, marked “WISH Admin Office”, on the left and ring the silver buzzer)

Parking is available in the loading zone directly in front of the building.

Drop-Off Hours:

Monday to Friday, between 9am-5pm.

If you are unable to come during these times on these days, please email us to discuss options.  Please do not leave donations outside the building without being received by a WISH representative.

Items WISH Needs at this time:
  • Women’s casual clothing (seasonally appropriate only)
  • Women’s club clothing (sexy clothes for the nightclub!)
  • Coats and hoodies
  • Shoes and boots
  • Bras, socks and underwear
  • Bags and purses
  • Menstrual products (tampons, pads, liners, cups)
  • Incontinence underwear
  • New, unused hotel or commercial sized toiletries in their original packaging: lotion, shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, razors, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste
  • Make-up, hair products/appliances, and assorted beauty supplies
  • Pregnancy test kits – in unopened and original packaging
  • Single-use mascara wands, Q-tips, cotton balls
  • Sunscreen
  • Wigs
  • Jewellery
  • Books
  • Blankets
  • Towels and face cloths
Items WISH Can Not Accept at this time:
  • Kids or baby clothing
  • Hair Dye
  • Food storage/recyclable containers
  • Housewares or furniture
  • Plates, dishes, mugs, pots, pans, utensils, or any other kitchen gadgets and supplies
  • Appliances
  • Computers, monitors, televisions, or any other types of electronics
  • Decorations or home knickknack items
  • Office supplies
  • Craft Supplies
  • DVDs
  • Musical Instruments

If you have items that you would like to donate that are on neither of the above lists, please email or call us to discuss further. Additionally, if you have a large amount of items or want to host a donations drive, please email or call us at info[at]wishdropincentre.org or 604-669-9474.

FAQ’s

How should I prepare my items for donations?

Please launder and clean all items as much as possible. Our preferred way of receiving donations is in garbage bags, as they are easier to handle and move than cardboard boxes.

I used to donate at hours outside of the 9-5pm. Why the change?

The office is closed outside of these hours, and to ensure the confidentiality and safety of WISH participants, we ask that community members not approach the drop-in entrances.

I have items that WISH is not currently accepting. Can I drop them off anyways?

We thank you for collecting these items, but we cannot store items that we are unable to use.  We have very limited storage space, nor do we have staff for handling donations that can’t be used or stored. If you are able to hang onto these items, we thank you for that.  If you are unable to store them and need to take them elsewhere, we understand 😊

Is there parking?

Yes, there is a loading zone outside of the WISH office that can be used for donations drop-off.

I have a large vehicle full of donations, how can I drop them off?

For large donations, please email us to arrange a time to come by the office to drop-off.

I would like to organize a clothing drive. What is most needed?

WISH’s greatest needs can change at any time – especially during this new COVID reality. Please get in touch and we can talk about the organization’s greatest needs at this given time.

Can men drop-off donations?

Yes! As the drop-off location is the administration office, men are welcome to drop off donations.

Where do my donations go?

Your donations go directly to the women who access the WISH Drop-In, Shelter, and MAP van services.  By supporting WISH, you are supporting some of our most vulnerable neighbours.

How do the donations get dispersed?

At WISH, we have a donations room that the participants have time to browse, picking out what items of clothing they need. Many women come to WISH to access the showers and bathrooms, which is when they will receive clean towels, hygiene supplies, and self-care needs.

I don’t have any of these items, how else can I help?

WISH is happy to work with donors who are able to support WISH in whatever way they are able.  Read more about other ways to give or email us for more information.