Struggling SLO County families find community and hope in a giving Facebook group
San Luis Obispo County families in need of a little help or hope can find it in a place frequently known for being a source of vitriol and conflict — a social media group.
For five years, the North County Families Helping Families private Facebook group has served as an online community and support system for those in need and those looking to share their resources with others.
Monika Saenz of Paso Robles started the group in 2015, when a neighbor helped her family with groceries and gas after they’d fallen on hard times.
“I was kind of hurt because I knew I would never be able to pay that forward,” Saenz said.
Building an online community
The Families Helping Families group was her way of trying to share hope and support others in the same way others had helped her.
The group, which now has more than 1,700 members, is filled with posts from followers — mostly women, mostly mothers — offering items they no longer need, asking for help and sharing resources.
Recent posts included one in which a woman leaving an abusive relationship needed help finding an outfit to wear to court to obtain a restraining order. In another post, a mother sought resources for an affordable eye exam, as her son had recently failed a vision test at school.
As the group has grown, members have helped organize seasonal sponsorships. This year, the group helped supply Christmas gifts for seniors and children. Members have also put together Thanksgiving dinners and backpack and Easter basket giveaways.
Donors can deliver the gifts themselves, or they can give anonymously through Saenz. Some donors also bring items to Saenz’s apartment — her porch is frequently filled with boxes and bags of clothes, kitchen supplies and toys.
Help without barriers — for better or for worse
The group wants to provide help without barriers — which means people aren’t required to prove their need, and there’s little donation oversight.
Saenz said most donors give only items — she tries to avoid handling cash for legal reasons. She also can’t provide a tax-deductible receipt like registered 501 (c)(3) nonprofits.
“I came up with the idea of doing this page for people who couldn’t get help elsewhere,” Saenz said. “I just have faith that they really are in need. “
The page administrators are open about the fact that their group is not a nonprofit, and those who want their donations to go to organization with greater accountability should give elsewhere.
“If somebody’s not comfortable, by all means I refer them to somebody more reputable,” Saenz said.
‘It’s not easy to ask for help’
Although San Luis Obispo County is known as a wealthy coastal community, the women involved in the group know all too well that many families struggle to make ends meet.
“How many people are one paycheck away from being homeless is scary,” said Brandee Davis, a page administrator.
The page’s administrators strive to create a place where people feel safe seeking support and know they won’t face judgment from others.
“It’s not easy to ask for help,” Saenz said. “You get a lot of people who are ashamed.”
Members also find new friends and a sense of peace from helping others.
Frances Contreras said the group’s administrators “brought the spirit back in me” after her brother died.
“It’s just nice to see people who are out there willing to help people and not judge them,” Contreras said.
This story was originally published December 24, 2019 at 5:50 PM.
