Our Story

Beginnings in a Time of Crisis

The DTES Emergency Supply Hub was born in one of the most challenging moments in recent history. When COVID-19 swept across Vancouver, frontline workers in the Downtown Eastside were hit especially hard. Supplies were scarce, PPE was dangerously limited, and many organizations were struggling to keep their doors open while keeping staff safe.

In early 2020, at a small site on 41 E Hastings Street, we started as a PPE-first distribution facility—nothing fancy, just a simple mission: get vital medical supplies into the hands of the people who needed them most.

Day after day, thousands of masks, gloves, gowns, sanitizers, and essential equipment moved in and out of that room. The Hub became a lifeline for frontline workers, outreach teams, housing programs, OPS sites, and community organizations trying to stay operational during an unprecedented public health emergency.

What began as crisis response quickly became something much bigger.

Community Connection & Collective Action

As the pandemic continued, other organizations began to see the power and potential of the Hub. They moved in beside us, shared space, shared work, and shared values. What started as a supply station evolved into a community-led, multi-agency service hub.

The Hub transformed into a:

Distribution centre
Community gathering space
Grassroots incubator
Shared resource for dozens of programs

Soon we were supporting up to 60 organizations, offering not only PPE but also food, homewares, general supplies, and outreach essentials. The energy inside those walls was electric — people collaborating, problem-solving, and showing up for the DTES in every possible way.

The Hub wasn’t just a place; it was a movement.

The Golden Age

At its peak, the Hub became a true powerhouse of community logistics.

Every day, trucks and volunteers moved pallets stacked 20 feet high with:

Food
Air conditioners
Water
Fire mitigation supplies
Harm reduction materials
Homewares
Emergency gear

If a resource existed, chances were good the Hub had it somewhere in its ever-growing inventory.
Community members visited daily to access food, essentials, safety gear, and the growing network of supports offered through the Hub. The space buzzed with activity and purpose.

A testament to what collaboration can achieve when barriers are removed.

Relocation & Reinvention

In February 2023, the Hub faced a major transition and had to relocate. We knew accessibility had to remain at the core of everything we did, so we made the decision to downsize and move to 138 E Hastings Street.

The new space meant:

Smaller footprint
Leaner inventory
Tighter logistics
New ways of working

It wasn’t easy. We had to rebuild systems, rethink storage, and adapt quickly. But one thing never changed: community access came first. If someone needed help, we were there.
The Hub continued to operate with large-scale donations, pallets of goods, and constant movement,

Proving that impact doesn’t depend on size, but on heart and purpose.

Rebuild, Revitalization & The Future

Today, the Hub is proudly operated by the Overdose Prevention Society (OPS), continuing the legacy of frontline, low-barrier, community-driven service.

We’ve spent the past years rebuilding, strengthening partnerships, and adapting to the shifting needs of the Downtown Eastside. The world has changed since 2020, and the Hub has changed with it — always flexible, always listening, always responding.

Our collaborators, advocates, volunteers, and partner organizations are the reason the Hub continues to thrive. What started as an emergency PPE station is now a cornerstone of community support, serving thousands of individuals and dozens of organizations every year.

Five years later, the Hub is stronger than ever.