Services and Supports

This page provides a short list of the emergency shelter, nutrition, and hygiene services available to residents of Nanaimo. For a full list of low and no-cost support services available in the City of Nanaimo, please refer to the Surviving in Nanaimo guide.

To find information on community, health and social service providers, please go to: Helpseeker.org

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Day-Use Spaces

Lobbies at the Recreation Centre Locations (250-756-5200)

Bowen Park Complex: 500 Bowen Road
Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm - Saturday, Sunday - Closed

Beban Pool Lobby: 2300 Bowen Road
Monday to Friday 6:30am to 7:00pm and Saturday to Sunday 8:30am to 4:30pm

Beban Social Centre and Frank Crane Arena: 2300 Bowen Road
Sunday to Saturday 8:30am to 4:30pm

Nanaimo Aquatic Centre: 741 Third Street
Sunday to Saturday 6:00am to 9:00pm

Nanaimo Ice Centre: 750 Third Street
Sunday to Saturday 5:00am to 12:30pm

Oliver Woods Community Centre: 6000 Oliver Road
Sunday to Saturday 8:30am to 9:00pm
Canadian Mental Health Association Social Centre

290 Bastion Street (Basement)
250-244-4042 x 208
Provides a social and recreational program for people living with mental health and substance use challenges and those who may be experiencing homelessness.
Open Mondays and Fridays from 10am to 4pm, Wednesdays 1pm to 7pm
Outshop - distribution of survival supplies Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 3pm
Vancouver Island Regional Library

All drop in are welcome under terms of VIRL's code of conduct
Nanaimo Harbourfront - 90 Commercial Street
Monday to Thursday from 10am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5pm, Sunday from 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Nanaimo North - 6250 Hammond Bay Road
Monday to Thursday from 10am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5pm, Sunday from 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Nanaimo Wellington - Country Club Mall
Monday to Thursday from 10am to 6pm, Friday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm
Salvation Army New Hope Centre

19 Nicol Street
Provides daytime programming and space for current shelter guests only
7 days per week

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Emergency Shelters

Salvation Army New Hope Centre

(19 Nicol Street) 250-714-1142
Has 35 emergency shelter beds available for men.
Emergency Shelter First Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo

(595 Townsite Road) 250-754-3720
Has 27 emergency shelter beds for men and women.
Open 5pm to 7am, 7 days a week. To check bed availability, please call 250-754-3720 or arrive after 5pm. You can email shelter@ufon.ca
St. Peters Winter Shelter - operated by Nanaimo Family Life Association

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
(301 Machleary Street) 778-269-3212
Has 34 shelter beds for men and women. Shelter services are provided during winter months only (November 7 to March 31, from 8pm to 7:30am, 7 days a week). Guests are asked to enter from the back laneway.
St. Peter’s cold weather shelter (direct line): 778-269-3212
Nanaimo Family Life (office hours only): 250-754-3331
Friendship Lelum Youth Safe House

(250-753-8266)

Co-ed, year-round shelter for 'at-risk youth' between 12-18 years.
Island Crisis Care Society Samaritan Place

702 Nicol Street (250-753-1474)
There are 14 beds for women, plus an additional 5 overflow spaces in extreme weather conditions, open 24 hours/ 7 days per week.

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Emergency Food Providers

Salvation Army New Hope Centre
(250-714-1142 / 250-753-0810)
A breakfast meal is distributed in partnership with the 7-10 Club Society at the following locations:
- 110 Wall Street
- 250 Albert Street
7-10 Club Society

250- 714-0917
Daily bagged lunch 7 days a week are distributed by partner agencies in Nanaimo.
Stone Soup / Wisteria Community Association

(Mobile Service) 250-591-6443
Provides a hot meal and brown bag lunch to go that is served by community volunteers to those in need during the hours of 5:30pm to 8:30pm, 7 days per week. All meals are offered at no charge at a variety of locations. For more information see www.wisteriacommunityassociation.ca
Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank

(1009 Farquhar Street) 250-754-8347
List of satellite food banks available at http://nanaimoloavesandfishes.org/index.php?pageID=schedule.
St. Paul's Anglican Church/Nanaimo Foodshare

100 Chapel Street (250-753-2523)
Lunch provided by Nanaimo Foodshare every Monday between 12-1pm.
On the third Tuesday of each month, grocery cards are provided for both individuals and families, to-go meals courtesy of Nanaimo Foodshare, as well as winter clothing, blankets, and other items that have been donated. This program begins at 9am on the third Tuesday at the parish office, and continues until they run out of grocery cards.
Downtown Hope

315 Fitzwilliam Street (250-734-1862)
Dinner is served every Saturday out of the St. Andrew's United Church from 4:30 - 7:30pm.
Selby Street Mission

250-753-3446
Provides sandwiches and snacks Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 7:30am to 9:30am. Sandwiches and BBQ lunch provided Mondays and Thursdays from 12 pm to 3 pm.

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Hygiene Services

Shower Program - City of Nanaimo/First Unitarian Shelter

Caledonia Park (110 Wall Street)
250-668-4607/shelter@ufon.ca
Free showers available Monday to Friday from 7am to 12pm
Towels and toiletries are supplied.
Public Washrooms and Water
Public Washrooms and water are available 7 days a week with varied opening/closing hours.
- Bowen Park East 8 am - 9 pm
- Brechin Boat Ramp 7 am - 9 pm
- Colliery Dam Park 8 am - 11 pm
- Diana Krall Plaza 24 hours
- Kinsmen Park 8 am - 9 pm
- Maffeo Sutton Park 6 am - 8 pm
- Pipers Lagoon Park 8 am - 11 pm
- Westwood Lake Park 7 am - 9 pm
- Northfield Rotary Lookout Park (Visitor Centre) 6 am - 7 pm.
A map of water fountains and washrooms is now accessible using the following link: www.nanaimo.ca/goto/waterfountains.

* Please note these are the general opening/closing times. They could vary based on maintenance/cleaning/weather or special event.

Last updated: February 28, 2023

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