Downtown Eastside non-profit distributes food hampers just in time for Christmas

A local non-profit stepped up this week, giving out food hampers in the Downtown Eastside, Strathcona, and Chinatown, just in time for Christmas.

Evan Reeks, operations manager of the Downtown Eastside Emergency Supply Hub (DTES Hub), says everything was possible thanks to food distribution partners in the community.

“We were able to gather about 5,000 pounds of food today and just reopen it up to anyone that missed,” Reeks said earlier this week.

“We’ve had 100 extra people through the door getting grocery hampers, meats, produce, breads, desserts, the works.”

Operated by the Overdose Prevention Society, the DTES Hub aims to strengthen food security, community resilience, and disaster readiness for some of the city’s most vulnerable people. It was initially formed to help distribute PPE gear during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since grown to include food, homewares, general supplies, and outreach essentials.

Reeks says the need has grown in recent years.

“I find people that, four years ago, five years ago, that were helping and/or donating, are now some of the ones that need the assistance, because the price of everything goes up and their wages aren’t going up,” Reeks said.

“It’s proof right there [that need is increasing], just in the donors-turned-clients.”

To find out more, head to dteshub.ca.