SLO County charities need a hand this holiday season. Here’s how to help
Agencies, charities and nonprofit organizations are working hard this year to help children, families and others in need in San Luis Obispo County.
Two years of coronavirus pandemic challenges have strained budgets and resources.
Most groups say that monetary donations are the safest and easiest way to give. Volunteers are also needed and appreciated.
Here are some of the many local groups that could use a helping hand in 2022.
SLO Food Bank
What: Donations from local residents and businesses constitute 87% of the SLO Food Bank’s operational funds. The food bank is primary source of food for 85 nonprofit agencies, reaching more than 31,000 people each month in San Luis Obispo County.
With historic inflation, hunger is on the rise. So far, the SLO Food Bank has provided 15% more food in 2022 than in 2021.
You can donate nutritious, non-perishable food or make a monetary donation.
Donate via the SLO Food Bank website, mail a donation or drop off a check at the main office in San Luis Obispo.
Where: 1180 Kendall Road, San Luis Obispo
When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
Info: 805-238-4664 or www.slofoodbank.org
Children’s Resource Network of the Central Coast
What: The Children’s Resource Network of the Central Coast (CRNCC) serves more than 35,000 children annually, in conjunction with participating agencies and school districts. Two toy giveaways benefit about 5,000 children.
CRNCC is accepting new children’s clothing, diapers, blankets and school supplies, as well as new holiday toys for children and gifts for tweens and teens.
Monetary donations can be made through the CRNCC Paypal page. Check the Children’s Resource Network website for dropoff locations for clothing and school supplies.
The CRNCC is partnering with the California Highway Patrol’s CHiPs for Kids Program and Walmart stores in Arroyo Grande and Santa Maria to gather gifts for its toy giveaways the first two weekends of December.
You can donate at participating CHP offices from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The CHP and CRNCC will accept donations at Walmart in Arroyo Grande and Santa Maria from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Dec. 9, 10 and 11.
Free toy giveaways will be held Saturday, Dec. 17, at the California State Park area located at the end of Grand Avenue in Grover Beach, and Sunday, Dec. 18, at Alvin Elementary School, 301 E Alvin Ave. in Santa Maria. The toy giveaways are first come, first serve. Children receiving the gifts must be present. Hours are yet to be determined, but the events will be held in the early morning.
Contact Lisa Ray for details at lisa@childrensresourcenetwork.org
Info: 805-709-8673 or childrensresourcenetwork.org/
ALF Food Pantry
What: ALF Food Pantry — formerly Atascadero Loaves & Fishes — distributes groceries and other household items to people in need in Atascadero, California Valley, Creston, Santa Margarita and Templeton.
ALF Food Pantry is accepting food items at this time, including nut butters and canned fish and meat. No glass containers or expired items will be accepted. Donate money online via the ALF Food Pantry donation page, send a check by mail or drop off your donation at the ALF office.
Where: 5411 El Camino Real, Atascadero
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Info: 805-461-1504 or alffoodpantry.org
El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO)
What: ECHO offers services out of shelters in Paso Robles and Atascadero to meet the needs of families and individuals transitioning from homelessness to housing.
The main items needed are socks, sleeping bags, long underwear and unisex sweatpants or sweatshirts. Volunteers are also needed.
To make a monetary donation, visit the ECHO website or mail checks to P.O. Box 2077, Atascadero, CA 93423.
Where: 6370 Atascadero Ave., Atascadero, or 1134 Black Oak Drive, Paso Robles
Info: 805-462-3663 or echoshelter.org
Salvation Army
What: The Salvation Army accepts monetary donations as well as new toys, clothing, shoes, food and hygienic items at all office locations.
To apply for the Salvation Army Angel Tree program, visit saangeltree.org.
Salvation Army of San Luis Obispo
Where: 815 Islay St., San Luis Obispo
When: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday. 3 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Closed New Year’s Day.
Info: 805-544-2401 or sanluisobispo.salvationarmy.org/san_luis_obispo_corps
Salvation Army of Atascadero
Where: 8420 El Camino Real, Unit G, Atascadero
When: 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday and Thursday. Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Info: 805-238-9591
Salvation Army of Arroyo Grande
Where: 1550 West Branch St., Arroyo Grande
When: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Info: 805-481-0278
Salvation Army of Morro Bay
Where: 540 Quintana Road, Morro Bay
When: 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Info: 805-238-9591
Salvation Army of Paso Robles
Where: 711 Paso Robles St, Paso Robles
When: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Info: 805-238-9591
Loaves & Fishes
What: Loaves & Fishes specializes in serving the working poor, the elderly living on a fixed income, those with physical limitations, and young parents trying to make ends meet by helping with groceries and other necessities.
Please call if you have a special food donation you would like to make.
Monetary donations are the most helpful during these times. You can donate money online via the Loaves and Fishes donation website, or drop off a monetary donation during business hours. Mail checks to P.O. Box 1720, Paso Robles, CA 93447.
Where: 2650 Spring St., Paso Robles
When: Noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday
Info: 805-238-4742 or loavesandfishespaso.org
KSBY Season of Hope
What: KSBY-TV has teamed up with local food banks, toy agencies, fire departments, the CHP and sponsors for the 11th year to put together what it calls the largest community-wide food and toy drive on the Central Coast. Check the KSBY Season of Hope website for a list of local San Luis Obispo county drop-off agencies.
Info: ksby.com/seasonofhope
Toy Bank of Greater Paso Robles
What: Families with children living in Paso Robles, San Miguel, Shandon, Bradley and Heritage Ranch benefit from the Toy Bank program. The Toy Bank accepts donations all year.
People can give monetary donations online via PayPal at Paso Toy Bank website or mail checks payable to Toy Bank of Greater Paso Robles, P.O. Box 2801, Paso Robles, CA 93447.
The Toy Bank’s Day of Giving is Dec. 10. Registration is now closed. To find an online wish list, make a donation or discover where to drop off donations, visit prtoybank.org or Facebook.com/ToyBankGreaterPasoRobles. Email info@prtoybank.org to coordinate a donation pick-up or drop-off.
Info: prtoybank.org/toys
Marines Toys for Tots program
Atascadero Toys for Tots
What: The Marines Toys for Tots program works in cooperation with the Kiwanis Club of Atascadero to supply Christmas gifts to families in need. The Atascadero campaign covers the Santa Margarita, Atascadero and Templeton areas along with areas including Creston and California Valley. Requests for toys are only accepted through atascadero-ca.toysfortots.org under the “Request a Toy” tab and need to be received by Dec. 15.
The group is currently collecting toys at locations around town and welcomes monetary donations to help purchase needed toys. It is especially in need of gifts for infants and teenage boys and girls. Please visit the Atascadero Toys for Tots website and click on the “Ways to Donate Local” tab to see collection box locations or to make a monetary donation.
Info: 805-391-4430 or atascadero-ca.toysfortots.org
Cambria/San Simeon Toys for Tots
What: The Marines Toys for Tots drive sponsored by Cambria’s American Legion Post No. 432 is accepting donations through Christmas. Visit the Cambria Toys for Tots website to make a monetary donation and to find a donation location.
Info: 805-927-1876 or cambria-ca.toysfortots.org
40 Prado Homeless Services Center
What: The Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County (CAPSLO) is collecting donations for the San Luis Obispo homeless shelter. The items most needed at the shelter are sleeping bags, tents, new underwear of all sizes for men, women and children and unisex sweatpants, sizes large and extra-large, as well as adults’ winter coats in all sizes.
Check the 40 Prado website to see the complete list or make a monetary donation.
Where: 40 Prado Homeless Services Center, 40 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Info: 805-544-4355 or capslo.org/donation-homeless
5 Cities Homeless Coalition (5CHC)
What: The 5 Cities Homeless Coalition is transforming the lives of those who are homeless or facing homelessness with a special focus on assistance in southern San Luis Obispo County.
The coalition accepts donations of socks, sweatpants, sweatshirts, rain ponchos, hygiene items and more. You can donate money online via the 5 Cities Homeless Coalition website, or mail checks to 5CHC, P.O. Box 558, Grover Beach, CA 93483.
When: 3 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Where: 100 South Fourth St., Grover Beach
Info: 805-574-1638 or 5chc.org/donate
Hope’s Village of SLO
What: Hope’s Village of SLO is “dedicated to establishing a safe, healthy, and drug-free village where people will live in dignity and in peace, where their voices will be heard, and where they will have hope in their hearts for a brighter future,” according to the group’s vision statement.
Donate to help homeless neighbors via the Hopes Village of SLO website. Contact Becky Jorgeson for details.
Info: 805-234-5478 or hopesvillageofslo.com/donate
Lumina Alliance
What: Lumina Alliance, formerly RISE and Stand Strong SLO, offers programs and services for survivors of sexual assault and abuse and intimate partner violence.
Lumina Alliance is hosting a gift card drive to support survivors this holiday season. Gift cards of any denomination for food, gas and general merchandise stores are most helpful.
Drop-off monetary donations and gift cards at Lumina Alliance’s San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles offices or mail them to Lumina Alliance, P.O. Box 125, San Luis, Obispo, CA, 93406. Online monetary donations can be made at the Lumina Alliance website.
Where: 51 Zaca Lane, Suite 150, San Luis Obispo
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday
Info: 805-781-6400 or luminaalliance.org
Woods Humane Society
What: Woods Humane Society is seeking to provide twice as many homeless dogs and cats with food, shelter, medical care and a loving home this holiday season.
Donate online at WoodsHumaneSociety.org.
Where: 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo, and 2300 Ramona Road, Atascadero.
Info: 805-543-9316 (San Luis Obispo), 805-466-5403 (Atascadero) or woodshumanesociety.org
SLO County Sheriff’s Office Christmas Bicycle Donations
What: The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office’s Christmas Bicycle Donations program gives away new and refurbished bikes and new helmets to children in need in San Luis Obispo County.
This year’s Christmas Bicycle Giveaway will take place Dec. 13, at 9 a.m. for those with approved applications.
To donate new children’s bicycle helmets in their original packaging, bring the helmets to any of the Sheriff’s Office’s patrol stations or to the Honor Farm off Highway 1.
Send checks to Sheriff’s Advisory Foundation, Attn: Bicycle Fund, P.O. Box 3752, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403.
Where: Honor Farm, 880 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo
Info: sh-bikereports@co.slo.ca.us
Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA)
What: A nonprofit organization that serves San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties, Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA) is dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness through work, housing, community, and family support services.
Check the T-MHA website to see a complete list of items to donate or make a monetary donation. Call to set up an appointment to donate items. Email Michael Kaplan at mkaplan@t-mha.org for details.
Where: Transitions-Mental Health Association, 784 High St., San Luis Obispo
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Info: 805-540-6513 or t-mha.org/donate.php
