VIU Cowichan Campus Computer Stations

Cowichan Valley Food and Community Resources for Students

Food Resources in the Cowichan Valley

PO Box 188, 9814 Willow Street, Chemainus, BC  V0R 1K0  
Phone: 250.246.4355   
Email: harvesthouse@shaw.ca 
Web: chemainusharvesthouse.com 
Friday 11:30am - 1:00pm - for residents of Chemainus, Thetis and Penelakut Islands, and Saltair to the Lagoon bridge. 

Applications to receive food take place at the food bank during posted hours. Crofton or Westholm residents can apply on Mondays at the Warmland Centre located on Joan Avenue in Crofton. To register, please supply care cards for each family member, status number (if applicable), and proof of residency.  Donations of canned goods, dry goods & fresh produce or monetary donations can be dropped off at Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank, at the back of the United Church on

  • Thursdays 9:30 am to11:30 am
  • Fridays 10:30 am to 1:00 pm

 On Mondays 9:30 am to 10:30 am, donations can be dropped of at Crofton Food Bank in Warmland Church on Joan Avenue. 

Warmland Centre, 1586 Joan Avenue
Phone: 250.246.4355   
Email: harvesthouse@shaw.ca
Web: chemainusharvesthouse.com

Mondays 9:30am - 10:30am - for residents of Crofton, Westholm, and along Chemainus Road as far as the Bald Eagle Campground. 

Applications to receive food take place at the food bank during posted hours. Crofton or Westholm residents can apply on Mondays at the Warmland Centre located on Joan Avenue in Crofton. To register, please supply care cards for each family member, status number (if applicable), and proof of residency.  Donations of canned goods, dry goods & fresh produce or monetary donations can be dropped off at Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank, at the back of the United Church on 

  • Thursdays 9:30 am to 11:30 am, 
  • Fridays 10:30 am to 1:00 pm

On Mondays 9:30 am to 10:30 am, donations can be dropped of at Crofton Food Bank in Warmland Church on Joan Avenue. 

5856 Clements St, Duncan, BC 
Phone: 250.746.4135   
Email: info@clementscentre.org  
Web: clementscentre.org

The Clements Centre Society and Lunch on Clements have developed a new baking business which will incorporate many of the favorites we have been known for in the past. The new business is called the Mindful Mouthful. Although we no longer offer a daily luncheon service, we are pleased to provide many different options including meat pies, cookies and other delicious choices that you can enjoy at home or for your next event. See the website for more details!  

2740 Lashburn Rd, Mill Bay, BC, V0R 2P1 
Phone: 250.743.5242  
Fax: 250.743.5268 
Web: cmsfoodbank.org

CMS Food Bank Society provides food hampers, once a month, for residents of Cobble Hill, Mill Bay, and Shawnigan Lake. Available on Tuesdays between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm. Please bring government issued ID for you and your dependents as well as proof of residence. You are also encouraged to bring your own reusable bags. Christmas hampers will be given out by appointment only between November and December. CMS Food Bank depends on donations of food items and cash.  

Hiiye’yu Lelum Society, PO Box 1015, Duncan, BC V9L 3Y2 
Phone: 250.748.2242 ext 134 
Email: cck@hofduncan.org 
Web: hofduncan.org/cowichan-community-kitchens

A safe, empowering environment where diverse groups of people come together to learn and share skills of budgeting, planning, shopping, and cooking healthy meals to take home to their families. CCK facilitate kitchen groups throughout the Cowichan Valley. Participants from each group get together twice a month to: plan, budget, shop, and cook nutritious meals to take home. Most groups have 7-10 people in them. The first meeting is where participants decide as a group what 4 meals they will prepare, create a budget and split the shopping duties. The second meeting is about 5-6 hours long and is when the cooking happens. Each person goes home with containers of prepared meals that can be frozen and eaten throughout the month. It usually costs each person between $2.00 and $3.50 (for 4 meals) or 50-88 cents per meal. 

28—127 Ingram St, Duncan, BC V9L 1N8 
Phone: 250.748.8281   
Email: cfla@cowichanfamilylife.org  
Web: cowichanfamilylife.org

Current hours: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 3 pm

Provides affordable peer counselling services and community groups, early learning and literacy for kids 0-5 and their families, and programs to support school aged children in their social and emotional development and wellbeing.

360 Duncan Street, Duncan
Phone: 250.748.8506
Email: info@cowichangreencommunity.org
Web: cowichangreencommunity.org

  • Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm 
  •  Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm

reFresh grocery store with low cost fresh produce, groceries, frozen meals, and seeds. Weekly $25 food coupons may be available (currently wait list). 

Meals on Wheels - hot supper Monday to Saturday, delivered 4 - 5 pm with frozen meal option for Sunday. Regular meals $6.50, large $8.50.

Farmers' Market coupon program - applications available at CGC.

Cob oven pizza at Centennial Park - Thursdays 1 - 4 pm for unhoused youth.

Kin Park Pantry at 5789 Alderlea Street - fruit, vegetables, bread, canned goods. Take what you need, leave what you can.

 

5810 Garden Street, Duncan, BC, V9L 3V9
Phone: 250.746.1566 (8 am - 4 pm)
Email: henry@cvbs.ca
Web: cvbs.ca

Food Kitchen: Coffee and pastries 10:00 - 11:00 am and lunch served from 11:00 am - 3:30 pm. Guests of all ages welcome. If you cannot afford a meal, please come and join us. COVID protocols limit the number of guests and length of stay in the centre to ensure social distancing and to give everyone a chance to have a meal. Meals are also available for takeout. 

Hampers: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 10:00 am - 1:30 pm. Register at Food Bank and call ahead to schedule your pick-up time. In addition to the monthly hamper, extra fresh vegetables, fruit, and bread are available each day in the centre. Volunteers welcome. Food donations of canned goods, dry goods, & fresh produce are always welcome. Food can be dropped off between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm or a pick up can be arranged for large quantities.

294 Coronation Avenue, Duncan 
Phone: 250.748.0232   
Email: office@cvyouth.ca 
Web: cvyouth.ca 

Cowichan Valley Youth Services Society (previously known as Community Options Society) provides free counselling and various outreach and support services for youth age 13-18 and their families in the Cowichan Valley. Office hours are: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, and Friday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. 

930 Trunk Rd, Duncan, BC, V9L 2S1 
Phone: 250.748.2122 
Email: office@duncancrc.org 
Website: duncancrc.org

Dinner is provided for those in need on the last Saturday of every month at 5:00pm. It is open to anyone in the community. 

931 Trunk Rd, Duncan, BC, V9L 2R9 
Phone: 250.748.1423 
Email: office@duncanchurch.com  
Web: duncanchurch.com

Provides an Emergency Food Cupboard to people during an emergency/crisis. They provide a food supply of canned goods for 1 or 2 days. Non perishable food donations are always welcome. 

246 Ingram St, Duncan, BC, V9L 1P4 
Phone: 250.746.6043   
Email: admin@duncanunited.org 
Web: duncanunited.org

Community Dinner: Each month, second Sunday at 5:00 pm in Heritage Hall - warm nutritious meal to approximately 60 people in the community. Third Place Café: Friday mornings, 10:00 - 11:00 am in Heritage Hall. 

Located behind Harvest House
Email: food.first.chemainus@gmail.com

Public herb garden, yard share, and fruit save program.

 

2579 Lewis St, Duncan, BC, V9L 2Z2 (Warmland House) 
Phone: 250.715.1132  
Web: cmhacowichanvalley.com/good_food_box

The monthly Good Food Box program is dedicated to feeding the community fresh fruits and vegetables at an affordable price. Each Good Food Box is only $10 and includes potatoes, onions, carrots, and a variety of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. Orders must be received and paid for (cash only) by the second Wednesday of each month. Boxes are assembled for pick up the following (third) Monday. 

Hiiye’yu Lelum Society, PO Box 1015, 5462 Trans-Canada Hwy #106, Duncan, BC V9L 6W4 (House of Friendship Centre) 
Phone: 250.748.2242 
Email: ajack@hofduncan.org 
Web: www.hofduncan.orgn

Breakfast Monday to Friday, 6 to 8:30 am

Food package delivery and meals available depending on program.

Pre and post-natal support through Healthiest Babies Possible program. Contact LSjolie@hofduncan.org for more information.

630 2nd Avenue, Ladysmith, BC, V9G 1B2 
Phone: 250.245.3079  
Fax: 250.245.3798 
Email: info@lrca.ca 
Web: lrca.ca/programs/food-security/food-bank

LRCA Foodbank is open for distribution Tuesday 4:00 - 6:00 pm and Wednesday 9:30 - 11:30 am. On your first visit please bring a care card for every family member. 

Phone: 250.245.5088 (Joanne)
Email: jarmstrongpg@shaw.ca

Hot lunch Monday, Wednesday, Friday, noon delivery. $6 per meal. Ladysmith Healthcare Auxiliary will pay for 2 meals per month with monthly orders.

Box 1087 #105-205 South Shore Rd, Lake Cowichan, BC V0R 2G0 
Phone: 250.709.7854 
Email: cowichanlakefoodbank@gmail.com 
Web: lake-cowichan-foodbank-society.business.site  
or visit the Facebook page for Lake Cowichan Food Bank

Hampers are distributed on the second Wednesday of every month (except December) between 2:00 and 3:30 pm at 105-205 South Shore Road, Lake Cowichan. You must pre-register at Community Services, 121 Point Ideal Road, by 4:00 pm the Monday before hamper day. Bring something with your current address and care cards for all family members living there. 

Duncan United Church, 246 Ingram Street, Duncan in Burns Hall 
Phone: 250.710.0351  
Email: info@cgcf.ca  
Web: cgcf.ca/meals-on-the-ground

Meals on the Ground is a grassroots program from The Cowichan Green Community Foundation that provides meals to those in the Cowichan Valley who need more food security in their lives. This program helps to meet the needs of the most food insecure and therefore the most vulnerable to ill health, people in the Cowichan Region. Meals are served on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the Duncan United Church in Burns Hall. Doors open at 4:30 pm and meals are served at 5:00 pm. All meals are made and donated by community members and groups. If interested in preparing a meal, please call, 250.710.0351. 

P.O. Box 595, 6177 Somenos Road, Duncan, BC, V9L 3X9 
Phone: 250.597.7760 
Email: nourishcowichan@gmail.com  
Web: nourishcowichan.ca

Nourish Cowichan is a society that provides nutritious breakfasts to school children of the Cowichan Valley, supporting them in reaching their full potential. Nourish works with schools in the community to ensure all children have access to healthy food. 

280 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan, BC, V9L 3P9 
Phone: 250.746.7032 or 250.746.8669 for Family Services. 
Web: salvationarmy.ca/britishcolumbia

The Salvation Army in Duncan runs a number of programs. They also run an emergency food program for people in need or who have used up their food bank hamper. An appointment must be made, and a meeting held with the Salvation Army to discuss eligibility. Every Christmas the Salvation Army runs a Christmas Hamper program supplying a hamper of food and toys to low-income families. Registrations must be in by the end of November and sign up changes year to year so if interested ask at the store location for sign up information.

The Salvation Army is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm  

Community Support Resources in the Cowichan Valley

3088 Gibbins Rd, Duncan
Phone: 250-709-3040

Mental health and case management services for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Clinical case management, community based case management, outreach, medication clinic, psychiatrist will review lab results for clients, counselling services, anger management, and anxiety groups.

Phone: 250.709.3040
Web: islandhealth.ca/our-services

3088 Gibbins Road, Duncan

Outpatient treatment provides services to adults aged 19 and over who are experiencing drug and alcohol problems.

Duncan United Church, 246 Ingram St
Phone: 250-746-6043
Web: duncanunited.org

Monday, 12 noon - 1 pm; Wednesday 7 pm - 9 pm

Phone: 604-620-0744
Web: anxietycanada.com

Living with too much anxiety. Looking for resources, results, relief. Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental health illness in Canada? Anxiety Canada is a leader in developing online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety, as well as resources and tools to help you manage your anxiety.

MindShift™ App - Anxiety Canada offer this app designed to help teens and young adults cope with anxiety. It can help change how you think about anxiety. Rather than trying to avoid anxiety you can make an important shift and face it. MindShift™ will help you learn how to relax, develop more helpful ways of thinking, and identify active steps that will help you take charge of your anxiety.

Phone: 250-746-5521
Email: cmhacvb@cmha.bc.ca
Web: cmha.bc.ca

Providing affordable counselling. Self-referrals, or referrals by other agencies or health practitioners.

BounceBack® is a program offered by CMHA for adults and youth. Feeling overwhelmed, tired, or like you’re in a rut? Are you more worried than usual or find yourself feeling angry more easily? BounceBack® teaches effective skills to overcome symptoms of mild to moderate depression or anxiety, and improve mental health. Participants can learn skills to combat unhelpful thinking, manage worry and anxiety, and become more active and assertive.

BounceBack® is offered in three forms.

  • Online video or DVD available in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
  • BounceBack® coaching - a customized series of workbooks with 4 to 6 coaching sessions by phone or video conference.
  • An independent, self-guided online program with access to video modules, e-books and worksheets.

554 Trunk Rd, Duncan
Phone: 250-748-0232
Web: cvyouth.ca

Free counselling and various outreach and support services for youth aged 13-19 and their families in the Cowichan Valley.

246 Evans St, Duncan
Phone: 250-748-7000
Email: cwav@cwav.org
Web: www.cwav.org

A range of programs designed to assist women in their response to physical, emotional or sexualized abuse and/or violence from a current or past partner, family member or acquaintance.

121 Point Ideal Rd, Lake Cowichan
Phone: 250-749-6822
Web: www.comserv.org

Providing services and programs for a wide range of issues and age groups. Varied programs and events for adults, children and youth. Employment services. Runs a transit service from Lake Cowichan to Honeymoon Bay and Youbou connecting with bus from Duncan.

321 St. Julian St, Duncan
Phone: 250-748-3112
Email: office@cis-iwc.org
Web: cowichanintercultural.org/

Community resource for immigrant settlement services. Provides a range of services including settlement services, classes in English as a Second Language, youth programs, employment aid and community outreach.

28-127 Ingram St, Duncan
Phone: 250-748-8281
Email: cfla@cowichanfamilylife.org
Web: cowichanfamilylife.org

Affordable one-on-one counselling services.  Provides Personal Power and Self-Esteem workshops, as well as Healing Anger workshops.  

3088 Gibbins Rd, Duncan
Phone: 250-709-3040
Web: islandhealth.ca/our-services/mental-health-substance-use-services

Provides a point of entry for all adult Mental Health and Substance Use services in your community. Areas with central intake may also have other entry points so services can be accessed in multiple ways. Intake methods vary from community to community, contact your local office for assistance, someone will be happy to help you.

Phone: 1.877.857.3397
Web: here2talk.ca

Offers post-secondary students free and confidential counselling and referral services by app, phone, or online chat.

5768 Allenby Road, Duncan
Phone: 250-746-6184
Web: cowichantribes.com/member-services/health/counselling

Kwun’atsustul means "hand in hand". Counsellors provide immediate support in emergencies as well as regular ongoing support. Our counsellors are professionally trained and are culturally respectful.

331 St. Julian St, Duncan
Phone: 250-710-8177
Email: kthomas@warmlandwomen.org
Web: warmlandwomen.org

Information and support for women, youth and families in the Cowichan Valley.