Distro Disco is a mobile free store redistributing resources to anyone in need in so-called Vancouver’s East Side.  In the fall of 2025 they established “Trillium Park” as the distribution location for the second Saturday of every month.  Naturally, they noticed we are neighbours and reached out to explore the possibility of a volunteer collaboration.  We started out postering the area and offering hot tea through the rainy, cold days of winter.  By January, we’d hatched the idea of setting up a community mending station adjacent to the distribution van.

The rainy autumn Saturdays in 2025 were choice for conversations over tea under the shelter of the Distro Disco canopies.  Among other things, we talked about a  shared intent to bypass capitalist/consumer systems by rooting care and creativity in community.  In particular, it became clear that the EartHand Gleaners’ ethic of “make-and-mend before shop-and-spend” was a great fit with the Distro Disco mandate.  Board members Mand and Sandra got busy gathering tools and supplies—thank you FabCycle and community members—and by January 2026 the EartHand Gleaners’ Community Mending Tent was launched. 

Now, when clothing donations come out of the Distro Disco van needing a bit of mending, new buttons, or darning, we are right there to make it happen.  When folks talk about worn-out favourites they can’t wear anymore but also can’t part with, we offer supplies and skill sharing on the spot or put together mending kits they can take away.  And, there’s an option to repair tarps, tents, and backpacks instead of just throwing them out. 

The monthly mending tent has become a gentle and generous space for folks to gather.  EartHand members are coming with their own mending projects and supporting neighbours in their own various projects.  One Saturday we even managed to improvise a new dog collar and leash from backpack repair supplies for a four-legged neighbour in need.  And, there’s still, always, tea from the garden to share.  Join us!

In addition to tending to relationships with the land

The mending circle will be for the community at large, bit in particular, we are aligning with Distro disco’s mobile free store https://www.instagram.com/distro_disco

Need survival gear, personal items, or harm reduction supplies? Visit the mobile free store! Just look for the disco ball!

When the good people of Distro Disco started parking their community free store on Malkin Street—next to the Skwácháýs North (Trillium) gardens—we asked ourselves how we might be supportive to them and our neighbours.

We will prepare an urn of garden tea and set up the pop-up tent we recently acquired for a mending station.  I can’t recall who Mand and I have already spoken to about the idea of EartHand Gleaners setting up a community mending station at Trillium once a month to coincide with the Distro Disco.  The idea being to equip folks to repair clothing and shelter.  We aim to have folks with skills on hand, along with some basic equipment (sewing needles, scissors) and supplies (thread, patches, buttons, velcro) to give away.  

Distro Disco is a mobile free store redistributing resources to anyone in need in so-called Vancouver’s East Side (unceded Musqueam, Squamish & Tsleil-Waututh land.)