What is CityServe Vancouver?
CityServe Vancouver moves surplus goods through a coordinated process from generous businesses, to a central warehouse, to trusted community partners serving people across our city.
Connecting Surplus to Need
CityServe strategically partners with established businesses across Canada (such as Amazon) to redirect new, returned, and overstocked items (known as: goods-in-kind) in avoidance of landfills or recycling plants.
Receiving & Sorting
The Vancouver hub is equipped with storage systems, inventory management, staff, moving equipment, and the ability to transport goods to and from the warehouse. Through volunteer efforts, goods are organized into categories that are redistributed to local organizations who support individuals and families in need.
Distribution Partnerships
Points of Distribution operate as ongoing community resource centres that receive and distribute goods at scale, while Compassion Partners receive goods for specific initiatives such as events or targeted support for individuals and families across Vancouver.
You can make a difference!
Get involved with CityServe Vancouver by volunteering your time to help receive, sort, and distribute essential goods to community partners across the city. Whether you can give a few hours or serve regularly, your time helps turn generosity into real support for individuals and families in need.
Connecting Resources.
Serving Our City.
Volunteers support CityServe Vancouver through a variety of hands-on roles, including: sorting and organizing donated goods, preparing items for distribution, assisting with warehouse operations, helping load and distribute goods to partner organizations, and supporting special distribution days and community initiatives.
Who Runs CityServe?
CityServe Vancouver operates through the leadership of Coastal Church, which provides administration, volunteer coordination, warehouse operations, and distribution support. We also work closely with trusted nonprofit and community partners throughout the region.
What Is CityServe?
CityServe Vancouver is a collaborative initiative that connects businesses with excess goods to local charities and community organizations that serve people in need. Operating through the leadership of with Coastal Church, we help receive, store, and distribute essential items across Metro Vancouver.
Who can receive goods from CityServe Vancouver?
Registered charities, nonprofits, and community organizations serving people in need within Metro Vancouver may apply to receive goods.
All organizations must:
Complete an application
Meet eligibility requirements
Be approved by the CityServe Vancouver team
Approval helps ensure fair and appropriate distribution.
How do businesses partner with CityServe Vancouver?
Businesses with surplus or overstocked items can partner with CityServe Vancouver by:
Donating goods-in-kind
Helping reduce waste
Supporting local community impact
Corporate partners play a vital role in making this work possible.
What kind of items does CityServe Vancouver distribute?
We distribute new, unused goods-in-kind (GIK) such as:
Clothing and footwear
Household essentials
Hygiene and personal care items
Seasonal goods
Select non-perishable items
All items are donated by corporate and retail partners.
Is there a cost to receive goods?
Goods are provided at no cost. Recipient organizations are responsible for pickup, coordination logistics, and applicable administrative fees.