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Cowichan Valley Basket Society
FoodFood bank, hampers, and emergency food support for individuals and families in our community.
Call ahead as hours can change.
Duncan Food & Meal Resources
Newly Added Resources
The latest Cowichan Valley resources added to the directory. Tap any to find it in the searchable list below.
🏠 Ladysmith Resources Centre (LRCA)🍽️ LRCA Food Pantry🚐 LRCA Seniors Transport & Advocacy💊 Island Health Access Central (Detox)🏥 Clearview Medical Detox — Nanaimo🧠 Cowichan Lodge Tertiary Mental Health➕ Rapid Access Addiction Clinic🩺 CV Learning Co-Op Youth Clinic🩺 Kaatza Health Centre Youth Clinic🩺 Lake Cowichan Secondary Youth Clinic🩺 Margaret Moss Health Unit Youth Clinic🤝 Volunteer Cowichan🐴 Cowichan Therapeutic Riding🪶 Kwun'atsustul Counselling🪶 Cowichan Tribes Youth Services🪶 Quw'utsun Employment & Training🛡️ Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC)🛡️ Residential Tenancy Branch🚌 BC Transit On-Request♿ handyDART Cowichan Valley🎫 BC Bus Pass Program
FEATURED RESOURCES
Trusted local organizations and services in Duncan & the Cowichan Valley.
Listings last reviewed June 5, 2026.
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The Station – Day Shelter
ShelterDaytime shelter, meals, showers, laundry, and support services.
Call ahead as hours can change.
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Island Health – Duncan
HealthMental HealthHealth services, walk-in clinic, mental health & substance use support.
Call ahead as hours can change.
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New Life Church — Duncan
FoodFamily SupportFood hampers, family meals, free furniture, moms' group with childcare, back-to-school clothing.
Family Dinner Wednesdays 5:00 PM in July & August.
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Sunday Sandwiches
FoodFree Sunday and statutory holiday meal — critical food support when most programs are closed.
Try not to miss this if Sundays are hard.
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Salvation Army — Family Services
FoodClothingEmergency food hampers, street packs, thrift-store vouchers for clothing and household goods.
Call first to confirm hours and ask for vouchers.
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Meals on the Ground — Duncan United Church
FoodFree community dinner three nights a week at Burns Hall.
Show up a bit before 5 PM for a hot meal.
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Meals on Wheels — Cowichan Green Community
FoodSeniorsPaid home meal delivery for seniors, people with disabilities, and people recovering at home. About $10–$12.50 per meal.
Call weekdays 9 AM – 2 PM to register.
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Third Place Café
FoodFree coffee, tea, and home baking on Friday mornings at Duncan United Church.
A warm, friendly drop-in space.
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Duncan United Church — Community Dinner
FoodFree monthly community dinner in Heritage Hall — call to confirm which Sunday.
Always call to confirm the exact Sunday.
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Duncan Christian Reformed Church
FoodFree hot meal on the last Saturday of most months.
Skips July and December.
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Kin Park Pantry — Cowichan Green Community
FoodPublic pantry with fruit, vegetables, bread, canned goods, and personal health products. Always open — take what you need.
Check whenever you're nearby — stock changes daily.
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Warmland House — CMHA Cowichan Valley
ShelterHygieneMeals, showers, laundry, clean clothing, day storage, and referrals to other supports.
Ask for showers, laundry, clean clothing, and referrals.
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Farm Fashions Free Store — VI Providence
ClothingFree clothing for children and people in need. Referrals accepted from any human service organization, school, or church.
Office Mon–Fri 9 AM – 4 PM for appointments.
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Cowichan Neighbourhood House — Chemainus
FoodClothingDaily pantry and free store with groceries, clothing, and household items. Drop-in with free soup, sandwiches, and social time.
Great for Chemainus residents and visitors.
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Duncan Food & Meal Resources
Meal programs, food hampers, home meal delivery, and community support in Duncan. Always call ahead if unsure.
Heads up: Program times and services can change. Please call ahead or check the organization’s website before going.
Cowichan Valley Basket Society — Duncan Foodbank
Dining Room Lunch
- Monday to Friday: 11:00 am – 3:30 pm
- Saturday: 11:00 am – 2:30 pm
Coffee & Pastries
- 8:30 am – 11:00 am
Notes
- Meals are also available for takeout.
- Food hampers: call between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm to ask a question or book a hamper appointment.
- Bread, fruit, and vegetables are available in the lobby after hampers are completed, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.
New Life Church — Duncan
Community support programs for people and families in the Cowichan Valley. Nonprofit society and registered charity.
Family Dinner (Summer)
- Free weekly meal for families when school meal programs are closed.
- Wednesdays at 5:00 pm in July and August.
- Limited food hampers may also be available.
- On the last Wednesday of August, gently used clothing and shoes may be offered for back-to-school support.
Needs and Extras — Free Furniture
- Free gently used furniture for people in the Cowichan Valley struggling to furnish their homes.
- Also accepts furniture donations to redistribute.
Moms Connect
- Supportive space for moms with preschool-aged kids. Refreshments, discussion, crafts. Childcare provided.
- 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 10:00 am – 11:30 am, September through June.
Office Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Sunday Sandwiches
- Every Sunday and statutory holiday
- 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Critical Sunday food support. Try not to miss this if possible.
CVBS Food Hampers
CVBS’s own site has conflicting hamper hours.
Call between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm to ask a question or book a hamper appointment.
One page says:
Monday to Friday: 9:50 am – 12:30 pm
Saturday pre-order pickup
Monday to Friday: 9:50 am – 12:30 pm
Saturday pre-order pickup
FAQ says:
Tuesday to Friday: 9:50 am – 12:30 pm
Saturday by special arrangement
Tuesday to Friday: 9:50 am – 12:30 pm
Saturday by special arrangement
Call 250-746-1566 before going for a hamper. Monday to Friday 9:50 am to 12:30 pm — call to make an appointment.
Salvation Army Family Services
Emergency Food Hampers
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Walk-in welcome
Street Packs
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Available as needed
Call 250-746-8669 first if this is what you need.
Meals on the Ground
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- Doors open: 4:30 pm
- Meal at: 5:00 pm
Meals on Wheels — Paid Home Meal Delivery
Delivery Window
- Monday to Saturday: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
- Sunday option: ask about the chilled or frozen meal option when registering
Current Price Guide
- Approximately $10 – $12.50 per meal
Who It Helps
- Registered clients who need regular home meal delivery
- Especially useful for seniors, people with disabilities, people recovering at home, and people who cannot reliably travel to meal programs
- Delivery area includes Duncan, Cobble Hill, and Mill Bay; other Cowichan locations may have a waitlist
This is a paid, pre-arranged meal delivery service — not a walk-up free meal. Call on weekdays, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, to ask about registration.
Third Place Café
- Fridays: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
- Coffee, tea, and home baking
- Closed in July and August
Duncan United Church Community Dinner
- 5:00 pm monthly in Heritage Hall
- Conflicting information: second Sunday or third Sunday of the month
Call 250-746-6043 to confirm the exact Sunday.
Duncan Christian Reformed Church
- Free hot meal on the last Saturday of the month at 5:00 pm
- Skips December and one summer month
- Not in July or December, according to the local guide
Kin Park Pantry
Public pantry with fruit, vegetables, bread, canned goods, and personal health products.
No set hours listed. Check whenever nearby.
Food Hamper Strategy
| Resource | Best Time | What To Do | Use For |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVBS Hampers | Tuesday–Friday mornings, 9:50 am – 12:30 pm | Call between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm to ask questions or book a hamper appointment. | Build a food base. |
| CVBS Hamper Items | Once per cycle | Save longer-lasting items. | Canned food, dry food, shelf-stable food. |
| Salvation Army Street Packs | Monday / Wednesday / Friday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm | Pick up portable food if needed. Call 250-746-8669. | Emergency packets, street packs, portable food, energy backup. |
| Meals on Wheels | Register by phone on weekdays, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Delivery is Monday to Saturday, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm. | Call 250-732-6791 or email mow@cowichangreencommunity.org. Ask about registration, dietary needs, delivery area, Sunday chilled/frozen meal option, and the current price. | Regular paid home supper delivery, especially for seniors, disabled people, homebound people, or people who cannot reliably reach public meal programs. |
Duncan Food, Meals, Clothing, Furniture & Family Support
A fast-scan list of where to go for the most common needs. Call ahead or check the organization’s website before going — times and services can change.
🍽️ Free Meals
- Cowichan Valley Basket Society — Lunch · 250-746-1566 · Mon–Fri 11:00 am – 3:30 pm, Sat 11:00 am – 2:30 pm
- CVBS — Sunday Sandwiches · Sundays & stat holidays, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, backyard tent
- Duncan United Church — Community Dinner · 250-746-6043 · 3rd Sunday monthly, 5:00 pm, Heritage Hall
- Duncan United — Meals on the Ground · Mon/Wed/Fri 5:00 pm, Burns Hall (Sept–June)
- New Life Church — Family Dinner · 250-748-6521 · Wednesdays 5:00 pm in July & August
📦 Food Hampers & Emergency Food
- CVBS — Grocery Hampers · 250-746-1566 · Call to book pickup, Mon–Fri 10:00 am – 12:15 pm. Bring BC government ID + proof of address. No proof of income required.
- CVBS — Saturday pre-ordered pickup · 10:00 am – 12:30 pm (phone 1–2 days ahead)
- Salvation Army — Emergency Food Hampers · 250-746-8669 · Walk-ins welcome, Mon–Fri 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Salvation Army — Christmas Hampers · seasonal program
- New Life Church — Limited Summer Hampers · alongside July/August Family Dinner
🛟 Street / Unhoused Support
- Salvation Army — Street Packs · 250-746-8669 · Mon–Fri 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Non-perishable food + water.
- Duncan United — Meals on the Ground · Mon/Wed/Fri 5:00 pm (Sept–June)
- CVBS — Sunday Sandwiches · Sundays & stat holidays, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
- CVBS — A Place To Be warming space · Mon–Sat 8:30 am – 4:00 pm, November through March
- CVBS hampers for unhoused · distributed every 14 days
👕 Clothing, Furniture & Household Help
- New Life Church — Needs and Extras · 250-748-6521 · Free gently used furniture. Donations accepted.
- Duncan United Church — Thrift Store · 250-746-6043 · Fridays 9:00 am – 1:30 pm. Low-cost clothing, household goods, furniture.
- New Life Church — Back-to-School Clothing · last Wednesday of August. Gently used clothing & shoes.
- Salvation Army Thrift Store · 250-746-7032 · Ask Community & Family Services about clothing/furnishing vouchers.
👨👩👧 Family & Parent Support
- New Life Church — Moms Connect · 250-748-6521 · 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 am (Sept–June). Childcare provided.
- New Life Church — Family Dinner · Wednesdays 5:00 pm, July & August. Free meal for families.
🧭 How to Use This Section
- Call ahead when possible.
- Bring ID if required (BC government ID + proof of address for CVBS hampers).
- Ask what is available that day.
- If you are unhoused, ask directly about street packs, meals, warming space, clothing, and food hampers.
- If one place cannot help, ask for a referral to another local program.