Thank you to the Cowichan Community Action Team for helping keep this site up and supporting our community.
Duncan Survival Hub — food, shelter, safety and support for Duncan and the Cowichan Valley
New · Free ResourceDownload the Cowichan Survival Checklist Book

Your free printable prepper checklist for the Cowichan Valley · PDF

Duncan Survival Hub

Free help with food, shelter, hygiene and crisis support in Duncan and the Cowichan Valley. Pick what you need below.

Emergency & Crisis Contacts

Immediate danger: call 911. If someone may be overdosing, call 911 and use naloxone if available.

988 Crisis Line

Call or text 988 for suicide crisis support in Canada.

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.

Explore the Drug-Supply Guide

🔎 Verified resource directory

Search local services with filters for community, cost and how to get in the door. Every listing shows the day it was last checked, and anyone can report information that has changed.

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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 don't have to phone around to find out who is open and who can help.

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.

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