Program Lead:
Kelsey Schwab cdi@dtesnhouse.ca
Overview
The Community Drop-In (CDI) is one of our core and most attended programs. It creates a welcoming and consistent space where community members can access food, connect with others, and participate in daily activities that support well-being and belonging.
What happens in this program
The program includes a variety of activities and services, such as:
Blender Nutrition and fresh food offerings
Weekly Community Kitchens
Right to Food initiatives
Partnerships with community organizations providing resources and support
Community members are encouraged to actively participate, whether through cooking, volunteering, or engaging in shared activities throughout the program.
Community Impact
CDI provides a space for neighbours to gather, build relationships, and experience a sense of stability and connection. It offers an alternative to transactional or charity-based models by prioritizing dignity, inclusion, and shared participation.
Our Approach
At DTES Neighbourhood House, we recognize that meaningful community spaces are built with and by the people who use them. CDI is designed to feel like a space that belongs to the community.
We intentionally move away from traditional food line-ups. Instead, food is prepared and served throughout program hours, creating a more welcoming and respectful experience.
Our food philosophy prioritizes fresh, diverse meals with visible ingredients. We aim to reduce highly processed foods and instead offer nourishing options that reflect care, transparency, and cultural inclusivity.
Tuesday Night Food Prep
Tuesdays, 6:45 pm – 9:00 pm
Tuesday nights are a space where neighbours from the Downtown Eastside and friends from across the city come together in the kitchen. Through shared effort, we prepare fresh, nutritious meals that are offered the following day during our Community Drop-In.
This is more than food preparation — it’s a space for connection, collaboration, and care, where everyone contributes to making the House feel like a place of belonging.
If you’re interested in getting involved, please click here for current opportunities, or email volunteer@dtesnhouse.ca
Community Pantry & Fridge
Available during program hours and as needed
The Community Pantry & Fridge is a low-barrier food access point located at the entrance of the Neighbourhood House. It is designed to respond to immediate need—offering food to anyone who comes to our door looking for something to eat.
When meals are not available, this space allows us to still provide support. Community members can access shelf-stable items and fresh food to help them get through the night or start their day with something in their stomach.
This initiative is grounded in the belief that food is a basic right, and that people should have the ability to choose what they eat with dignity.
The Pantry & Fridge operates through community donations and shared support. While we do our best to keep it stocked, availability can fluctuate depending on contributions. Even so, we remain committed to keeping this space open and accessible.
Community Impact
Nutritional Outreach meets community members at critical moments, offering nourishment, hydration, and connection when access to food is most limited.
The Community Pantry & Fridge plays a vital role in responding to immediate hunger, ensuring that even outside of program hours, there is a place people can turn to.
Together, these initiatives reduce barriers, strengthen food access, and reinforce a sense of care and belonging across the community.
Our Approach
Nutritional Outreach is grounded in generosity, sustainability, and dignity. There are no barriers to access—no registration, no requirements—only an open invitation.
We prioritize meeting immediate needs while building long-term systems of care. Whether through outreach, shared food, or accessible spaces, the goal remains the same: to ensure that no one is left without support.
This work is made possible through volunteers, donations, and community partnerships—and continues to grow through the collective care of those who believe in it.
