Aloe vera gel, kettles among items needed at DTES donation centre
If you have any extra aloe vera gel to spare, then a new centre for the Downtown Eastside would appreciate a donation.
The centralized distribution centre for non-profits in the inner-city neighbourhood is looking for the gel to make hand sanitizer.
The gel is among numerous items needed by the centre, said Janice Abbott, CEO of Atira Women’s Resource Society, which is operating the centre.
“We’re in desperate need right now of aloe vera gel, believe it or not,” she said. “We have isopropyl, so we can make hand sanitizer, but we need aloe vera gel to make it.”
The combination of the gel with isopropyl or rubbing alcohol in a two-to-one proportion makes what is described as an effective hand sanitizer.
The centre is at the Olivia Skye Building at 41 East Hastings, between Columbia and Carrall.
Abbott said if COVID-19 spreads in the Downtown
Eastside, residents will have to self-isolate in their small single-occupancy hotel rooms.
So she is looking for the kind of donations that would help make it easier for people to stay in their single room.
She is asking for donations such as small television sets, microwaves and food that can be microwaved, non-perishable food including canned goods, and playing cards, magazines, puzzles and anything that can help pass the time.
As well, the centre needs bottles of water, kettles to make tea and coffee, hand soap, masks and gloves.
They are also looking for small spray bottles so they can be filled with hand sanitizer, and bigger spray bottles for cleaning liquids.
Donations are best delivered from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The centre’s email is dteshub@atira.ca.
Abbott asks anyone donating items to “please, please call first” at 778-828-9903 or 778-580-6616.