Ready for year-end giving? These SLO County charities need your help
Many agencies, charities and nonprofit organizations work hard year-round to help children, families, the homeless and others in need in San Luis Obispo County.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, several local groups have canceled major fundraisers, moved fundraising efforts online and changed the way they handle donations.
Most charities say that monetary donations are the safest and easiest way to give, although volunteering is also appreciated. Some groups are still accepting in-kind items, but with restrictions.
Here are some of the many local organizations that could use a helping hand.
SLO Food Bank
What: Donations consitute 72% of the SLO Food Bank’s operational funds. The food bank is the primary source of food for 77 nonprofit agencies that, combined with the food bank, reach more than 30,000 people each month in San Luis Obispo County.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the SLO Food Bank is not collecting food from donors this year at grocery stores. Instead, the nonprofit encourages monetary donations. Donate via the SLO Food Bank website, or send 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 is accepting new children’s clothing, diapers, blankets and school supplies, as well as monetary donations through the Children’s Resource Network website. Contact Lisa Ray for details.
Info: 805-709-8673, lisa@childrensresourcenetwork.org or childrensresourcenetwork.org/donate.htm
KSBY Season of Hope Food and Toy Drive
What: KSBY teamed up with local food banks, fire departments, the CHP and other groups and sponsors to put together the Season of Hope food and toy drive.
Info: The toy drive is over for 2020, but you can still donate money online at ksby.com/seasonofhope.
ALF Food Pantry
What: Atascadero Loaves and Fishes runs a food pantry distributing groceries and other household items to people in need in Atascadero, California Valley, Creston, Santa Margarita and Templeton.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Atascadero Loaves and Fishes cannot accept food items at this time. Donate money online via the ALF Food Pantry website, send a check by mail or drop off a check at the ALF office.
Where: 5411 El Camino Real, Atascadero
When: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m, Monday through Friday; closed Christmas and New Years Day.
Info: 805-461-1504 or atascaderoloaves.org/donate.html
Loaves and Fishes
What: The North County nonprofit provides groceries and other essentials to “our neighbors in need.” Loaves and Fishes is not currently able to accept food donations due to COVID-19.
You can donate money online via the Loaves and Fishes 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; 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday
Info: 805-238-4742 or loavesandfishespaso.org/donation
Salvation Army
What: Salvation Army accepts monetary donations, new toys, clothing, shoes, food and hygienic items at all office locations.
Salvation Army of San Luis Obispo
Where: 815 Islay St., San Luis Obispo
When: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Office will be 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 1:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Office will be closed New Year’s Day.
Info: 805-466-7201
Salvation Army of Arroyo Grande
Where: 1550 W. Branch St., Arroyo Grande
When: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Office will be closed New Year’s Day.
Info: 805-481-027
Salvation Army of Morro Bay
Where: 540 Quintana Road, Morro Bay
When: 1 to 3:30 p.m,. Tuesday and Thursday. Office will be closed New Year’s Day.
Info: 805-772-7062
The Paso Robles Salvation Army office is closed until further notice.
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 year-round. Call Bill Pluma to coordinate a donation pick-up or drop-off.
People can give monetary donations online at Paso Toy Bank website or mail checks payable to Toy Bank of Greater Paso Robles, P.O. Box 2801, Paso Robles, CA 93447.
Info: 805-423-1272 or 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. The toy drive for the Atascadero area has ended, but cash donations are still needed to purchase toys and gifts for infants and teens.
Visit the Atascadero Toys for Tots website to make a monetary donation. Click on the “donate local” button.
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 432 is no longer accepting toy donations. Visit the Cambria Toys for Tots website to make a monetary donation.
Info: 805-927-1876 or cambria-ca.toysfortots.org/
For Toys for Tots in the Paso Robles area, visit prtoybank.org. For Toys for Tots in the San Luis Obispo area, visit sanluisobispo.salvationarmy.org
40 Prado 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, breakfast foods, Simple Green cleaning solution and Clorox wipes. Check the 40 Prado website to see the complete list or make a monetary donation.
Where: CAPSLO, 1030 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call to set up an appointment to donate items.
Info: 805-534-3668 or capslo.org/donation-homeless
El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO)
What: ECHO operates a safe and secure overnight 50-bed shelter, 20-bed emergency warming shelter and the Motel 6 in Paso Robles to meet the immediate needs of homeless families and individuals who are located in Atascadero and Paso Robles.
The main items needed are socks, sleeping bags, unisex sweatpants or sweatshirts, and long underwear. To make a monetary donation or purchase a gift card, visit the ECHO website. Mail checks to P.O. Box 2077, Atascadero, CA 93423.
Where: 6370 Atascadero Ave., Atascadero
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
Info: (805) 462-3663 Contact Aminah Irvin or www.echoshelter.org/donate
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. (Check the group’s 5CHC Amazon website to view needed items.) You can also donate money online via the 5 Cities Homeless Coalition website, or mail checks to 5CHC, P.O. Box 558, Grover Beach, CA 93483.
When: 1 to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday
Where: 1566 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach
Info: 805-574-1638 or 5chc.org/donate
Hope’s Village of SLO
What: Hope’s Village of SLO provides programs such as RVs for Veterans and Showers of Hope.
The nonprofit has started a new program, Room at the Inn, providing lodging for those in need during the holidays or after a stay in the hospital. Donate to help provide two-night stays at Motel 6 to our homeless neighbors via the Hopes Village of SLO website. Contact Becky Jorgenson for details.
Info: 805-234-5478 or hopesvillageofslo.com/donate
Stand Strong
What: Stand Strong offers programs and services for survivors of intimate partner violence and child abuse.
At this time, the organization is unable to accept in-kind donations of products and items. Contactless drop-offs of monetary donations and grocery or gas gift cards for client assistance can be made at the Stay Strong office. Checks may be mailed to the office, and monetary donations can be made online at the Stand Strong website.
Where: 51 Zaca Lane, Suite 150, San Luis Obispo
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday
Info: 805-781-6401 or www.standstrongnow.org/give
Woods Humane Society
What: Woods Humane Society is holding a 2020 Holiday Drive to Save Lives fundraiser to provide food and shelter, medical care and loving adoptive families for homeless animals.
The shelter is asking that people not visit or bring items to the shelter at this time. Call the shelter to make an appointment to adopt an animal or to inquire about what items are needed. You can donate money online on the Woods Humane Society website.
Where: 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo and 2300 Ramona Road, Atascadero.
Info: 805-543-9316 (San Luis Obispo), 805-466-5403 (Atascadero) or www.woodshumanesociety.org/donate
This story was originally published December 16, 2020 at 5:05 AM.