SLO County charities need your help this holiday season. Here’s how to donate money and more

Agencies, charities and nonprofit organizations work hard year round to help children, families and others in need in San Luis Obispo County.

Most groups say that monetary donations are the safest and easiest way to give because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Volunteers are also needed and appreciated.

Some groups are still accepting in-kind items, but with restrictions.

Here are some of the many local San Luis Obispo organizations that could use a helping hand.

SLO Food Bank

What: Donations constitute 71% of the SLO Food Bank’s operational funds. The food bank is the primary source of food for 82 nonprofit agencies that, combined with the food bank, reach more than 30,000 people each month in San Luis Obispo County.

You can donate nutritious, non-perishable food or make a monetary donation.

By purchasing in bulk, the SLO Food Bank turns $1 donated into $4 worth of food purchasing power, contributing seven nutritious meals to San Luis Obispo County residents for every dollar donated. 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 (CRNCC) serves about 30,000 children annually, in conjunction with participating agencies and school districts. Two toy giveaways benefit about 3,000 children.

CRNCC is accepting new children’s clothing, diapers, blankets and school supplies, as well as holiday toys for children and gifts for tweens and teens.

Monetary donations can be made through the Children’s Resource Network website. Check the CRNCC website for clothing and school supplies drop-box locations. Contact Lisa Ray for details.

Where: The CRNCC partners with the California Highway Patrol’s CHiPs for Kids Program and Walmart to gather gifts for its first toy giveaway. You can donate all participating CHP offices from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.



The CHP and CRNCC will accept donations at Walmart in Paso Robles, Arroyo Grande and Santa Maria on Dec. 3 to 5 and Dec. 10 to 12. You can also take donations to Walmart in Lompoc in Dec. 11 and 12.

When: A drive-through toy giveaway will be held Dec. 18 in the large dirt parking lot adjacent to Finn’s Restaurant at the end of Grand Avenue in Grover Beach. The toy giveaway is first come, first serve. Children receiving the gifts must be present. Hours are yet to be determined, but the event will be held in the early morning.

The second drive-through toy giveaway will be held Dec. 19 in San Miguel in back of Mission San Miguel Arcangel, 775 Mission St in San Miguel. Hours are yet to be determined.

Info: 805-709-8673, lisa@childrensresourcenetwork.org or childrensresourcenetwork.org/donate.htm

ALF Food Pantry

What: The Atascadero ALF Food Pantry distributes groceries and other household items to people in need in Atascadero, California Valley, Creston, Santa Margarita and Templeton.



Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ALF Food Pantry 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 to 3 p.m, Monday through Friday; closed Christmas and New Years Day.

Info: 805-461-1504 or www.alffoodpantry.org

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) 805-462-FOOD (3663) or www.echoshelter.org/donate

Salvation Army

What: The 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 West 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: 805-481-0278

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

Salvation Army of Paso Robles

Where: 711 Paso Robles St, Paso Robles

When: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Office will be closed New Year’s Day.

Info: 805-238-9591

Loaves and Fishes

What: The North County nonprofit provides groceries and other essentials to 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.

KSBY Season of Hope

What: KSBY has teamed up with local food banks, toy agencies, fire departments, the CHP and sponsors to put together the largest community-wide food and toy drive on the Central Coast.



To participate in the 10th annual Season of Hope, 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 year round.

Call Bill Pluma to coordinate a donation pick-up or drop-off.

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. 11. Registration is now closed. To find an online wish list, make a donation or discover where to drop off donations, visit www.prtoybank.org or Facebook.com/ToyBankGreaterPasoRobles

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 to supply Christmas gifts to families in need. The Atascadero campaign covers the Santa Margarita, Atascadero and Templeton areas along with areas east including Creston and the California Valley.



Requests for toys are only accepted through the website at atascadero-ca.toysfortots.org under the “Request a Toy” tab and need to be received by Dec. 16.

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 for 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 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: cambria-ca.toysfortots.org or 805-927-1876

For Toys for Tots in the Paso Robles area, visit prtoybank.org. Season of Hope supports the San Luis Obispo area through the sanluisobispo.salvationarmy.org.



To apply for the Salvation Army Angel Tree program, visit saangeltree.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, 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: 805-534-4355 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 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: 3 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

Where: 100 South Fourth Street, Grover Beach

Info: 805-574-1638 or 5chc.org/donate

Hope’s Village of SLO

What: Hope’s Village of SLO runs a number of programs, including RVs for Veterans, Showers of Hope, A Room at the Inn and A Road Back Home.

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 (Formerly RISE and Stand Strong)

What: Lumina Alliance 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-offs of monetary donations and gift cards for client assistance can be made at Lumina Alliance’s San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles offices or be mailed to 125 P.O. Box San Luis, Obispo, CA, 93401. 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 has a Giving Tuesday Matching Challenge fundraiser to provide twice as many homeless dogs and cats with food, shelter, medical care and a loving home this holiday season.

All donations made to the organization before midnight on Nov. 30 will be matched, up to $20,000, by a group of compassionate local donors. If you want to help and have your donation doubled, donate online at www.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/donate

SLO County Sheriff’s Office Christmas Bicycle Donations

What: The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office’s Christmas Bicycle Donations program promotes the holiday spirit by giving away new and refurbished bike and new helmets to children in need in San Luis Obispo County. This year, the agency is scheduling pick-up times for those with approved applications Dec. 6 through Dec. 10. 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 North 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 THMA 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

This story was originally published November 25, 2021 at 5:00 AM.