988 Crisis Line
Call or text 988 for suicide crisis support in Canada.
Welcome to Duncan Survival Hub
Food. Shelter. Safety. Support.
You are not alone. Help is here. Take one step at a time.
Need help now?Immediate danger — call 911
What Do You Need Right Now?
Choose one need. Duncan Survival Hub will help you find the next safe step.
1. I need food
Hot meals, food banks, hampers.
Find food2. I need somewhere safe to sleep
Shelters and warming spaces. Call ahead — beds are not guaranteed.
Find shelter3. I need safety or crisis support
Danger: 911. Suicide crisis: call or text 988.
Get help now4. I need housing or outreach
Outreach workers, housing applications, rent help.
Find outreach5. I need clothing or hygiene
Showers, laundry, clothing, supplies.
Get basics6. I need mental health or substance-use help
Care, recovery, harm reduction, naloxone.
Find support7. I need practical survival info
Street survival, weather, go-bags, preparedness.
Open guide8. I need emotional or spiritual support
Grounding, encouragement, optional faith pages.
Find calm9. I am helping someone else
Safety first, then one next step together.
Helper guideHelp in Victoria
Victoria Landing Plan — call ahead.
Nanaimo, income & disability help
Official city and provincial starting points.
🧭 Not sure? Answer 3 questions📝 My private survival plan📥 Offline survival pack
Emergency & Crisis Contacts
Immediate danger: call 911. If someone may be overdosing, call 911 and use naloxone if available.
Vancouver Island Crisis Line
Call 1-888-494-3888 for 24/7 crisis support.
211 British Columbia
Call 211 for shelter, food, clothing, laundry and outreach.
HealthLink BC
Call 811 for non-emergency health advice.
🧪 What Is in the Street Drug Supply?
Learn about fentanyl, nitazenes, benzodiazepines, veterinary sedatives, counterfeit pills, cutting agents and the health effects they can cause.
🔍 Search every resource
🔎 Resource directory
Search local services with filters for community, cost and how to get in the door. Listings show their recorded check dates or a verification warning, and anyone can report information that has changed.
Help in Duncan and the Cowichan Valley
Duncan Survival Hub brings food, shelter, safety, hygiene, crisis, outreach and emergency preparedness information into one mobile-friendly guide, so you can choose who to contact for current hours and availability.
- Free food, meals and hampers in Duncan, BC
- Shelter and homelessness help in Duncan and Cowichan
- Showers, laundry and clothing help
- Crisis and mental health support in the Cowichan Valley
- Full Cowichan community resource directory
- Cowichan Valley outreach network
- Cowichan emergency preparedness guides
Areas covered: Duncan, North Cowichan, and Cowichan Tribes (Quw'utsun) territory, along with the wider Cowichan Valley — Chemainus, Crofton, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Cobble Hill, Mill Bay and Shawnigan Lake — wherever this guide has useful listings. This is an independent, community-made guide and does not speak for any community or organization.
🎸 Folk Songs for Survival and Hope
Influential Canadian and traditional folk songs about hard times, recovery, dignity, faith, community and beginning again.
Listen to the songs🤲 Support Duncan Survival Hub
This is an independent, community-made guide. Donations cover hosting, printed guides, and supplies. Sharing it also helps.
This project does not replace emergency services, shelters, outreach teams, food banks, or professional care. Program details change — please call ahead.
❓ Common Questions
What is Duncan Survival Hub?
Duncan Survival Hub is a free, lived-experience community resource directory for Duncan and the Cowichan Valley. It gathers food, shelter, hygiene, safety, crisis support, and essential services into one simple guide so people can find help quickly, without judgment.
Who is Duncan Survival Hub for?
It's for anyone in Duncan or the Cowichan Valley who needs support — people facing homelessness, hunger, hardship, or crisis, as well as neighbours, volunteers, and outreach workers helping someone find local resources.
Does Duncan Survival Hub replace emergency services?
No. This is an information guide, not an emergency service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 right away. For crisis support, contact your local crisis line or emergency services — the Hub can point you toward help, but it does not respond to emergencies itself.
How can someone find food resources in Duncan?
Use the search bar and the Food filter at the top of the page, or scroll to the resource sections. You'll find food banks, hampers, hot meals, and community meal programs across Duncan and the Cowichan Valley, with locations, days, and hours where available.
How can someone find shelter or crisis support?
Check the shelter, safety, and crisis sections of the directory for local shelters, warming options, and support services. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For urgent emotional or mental-health crisis support, use your local crisis line or emergency services.