19 SLO County charities that need your help this holiday season

It’s the holiday season in San Luis Obispo County and with that, it’s also the perfect season to give back to the community.

A number of local nonprofits and charities are holding holiday gift and fundraising drives at this time of year as they look to help those in need. Others, like homeless shelters and food banks could always use your support.

From gift and toy drives to a need for Salvation Army bell ringers, here are 18 local ways to lend a helping hand.

Adam Montiel’s Breaking & Entering Christmas

What: Each holiday season, Up+Adam’s Breaking & Entering Christmas quietly makes a full Christmas happen for one anonymous family in need. Listeners nominate families, Adam Montiel’s and his crew rally the community, and together they deliver everything: decorations, gifts, groceries and even cash ornaments on the tree. This year’s family has three generations living in low-income housing meant for field workers, according to Montiel’s website. The family members include 10-year-old Emilio who would like toys and Legos for Christmas and 14-year-old Daniela who would like boot cut jeans, makeup, tops and a zip-up hoodie, according to the website. If you are a local business and would like to help, donate, or extend something for this year’s event raffle, you can reach out AdamMontiel.com through or contact Adam directly to get involved.

Where: North County drop-off for gifts is through North County Copy & Parcel, at 3850 Ramada Drive, Suite A1 in Paso Robles. Cash donations can be made online.

For more information: Email 805montiel@gmail.com or visit adammontiel.com/breaking-and-entering-christmas.

ALF Food Pantry

What: In 2024, the ALF Food Pantry in Atascadero distributed nearly 700,000 pounds of food to 34,000 food-insecure individuals. After 42 years with no paid staff, ALF is acquiring a much larger facility at 7380 El Camino Real.

The new space will accommodate a solar-battery system to support its new walk-in freezer and refrigerator. Expanded storage space will allow ALF to take advantage of bulk buying. ALF is seeking capital funding and donations from its generous donors to help prepare the property for its growing community needs.

When: Through Dec. 19, all donations designated for the infrastructure of the building ALF is purchasing will be matched up to $15,000 by an anonymous donor. Donations can be made through the group’s website or by dropping off or mailing a check to the pantry. ALF also accepts in-kind donations of food at its facility from 8 a.m. to 11.a.m. Monday through Friday.

Where: 5411 El Camino Real, Atascadero

For more info: Visit the organization’s website at alffoodpantry.org or call 805-461-1504.

Children’s Resource Network of the Central Coast

What: The Children’s Resource Network of the Central Coast serves more than 35,000 children annually, in conjunction with participating agencies and school districts. The charity is accepting new children’s clothing, diapers, blankets and school supplies, as well as new, unwrapped holiday toys for children and gifts for teens and tweens. CRNCC also partners with the San Luis Obispo California Highway Patrol’s CHiPs for Kids program.

When: The free Christmas toy giveaway is Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. to noon at Oceano Elementary School, located at 1551 17th St., Oceano. The free Christmas toy giveaway is first come, first served. Children receiving the gifts must be present.

For more info: Contact Lisa Ray for details at lisa@childrensresourcenetwork.org. If you’d like to a give a monetary donation, please mail to: Children’s Resource Network of the Central Coast, P.O. Box 454, Pismo Beach, CA 93448 or contact Ray directly at 805-709-8673. You can also view the organization’s website at clothingcloset.org

CHiPs for Kids Toy Giveaway

What: Local California Highway Patrol offices are collecting new, unwrapped toys this holiday season. The goal of the CHiPs for Kids annual toy drive is to continue to build a positive relationship between law enforcement and young children, to develop trust and help ensure children enjoy the holiday season.

When: They will collect new, unwrapped toys up to Dec. 19. The first two weekends of the program will be at the Walmart in Arroyo Grande, with CHP officers on hand to accept toys Dec. 12-14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m

Where: Donation dropoff points are at the CHP San Luis Obispo office, 675 California Blvd., and the CHP-Templeton office, 101 Duncan Road, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m

For more info: Contact CHP San Luis Obispo Area office at 805-594-8717.

El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO)

What: The El Camino Homeless Organization offers services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness out of campuses in Paso Robles and Atascadero to help them find stability and housing. ECHO’s mission since 2001 is to empower people in SLO County to make positive change by providing food, shelter and supportive services. During the holidays, you can support the organization with donations that can be given as gifts to adults in the shelter program. The main items needed are socks, boxers and unisex sweatpants and sweatshirts. Check the ECHO website for a list of all needed items. Volunteers are also needed. To make a monetary donation, visit the secure online ECHO donation page or mail checks to P.O. Box 2077, Atascadero, CA 93423.

Where: 6370 Atascadero Ave., Atascadero, or 1134 Black Oak Drive, Paso Robles

For more info: Call 805-462-3663 or visit echoshelter.org.

Hope’s Village of SLO

What: Hope’s Village of SLO is “dedicated to establishing a safe, healthy, and drug-free sustainable community village of tiny houses 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. You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to help unhoused neighbors still living on the streets via the organization’s website, PayPal or phone.

For more info: Visit hopesvillageofslo.com or call 805-423-2957.

KSBY’s Season of Hope:

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

When: The Season of Hope food and toy drive ends Friday, Dec. 12.

For more info: Go to ksby.com/community/season-of-hope/san-luis-obispo-county-drop-off-locations to find the nearest toy and food drop-off location.

Loaves & Fishes

What: Loaves & Fishes is a family center that specializes in serving families with food and other services through personal attention. It serves the working poor, young parents trying to make ends meet and elderly folks living on a fixed income. Its highest goal is “to serve people well by providing the best quality food, just as we would provide to our own families, and caring for people, as we care for our own families.” All support comes from the community. The organization is not funded by government grants. Making a monetary donation is the most helpful. You can donate online via loavesandfishespaso.org, 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: Monday through Thursday 2-4 p.m. Closed on Friday, holidays and weekends.

For more info: Call 805-238-4742 or visit loavesandfishespaso.org

Lumina Alliance

What: Lumina Alliance offers services for survivors of sexual assault, domestic abuse and intimate partner violence. The organization 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 the 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. You can also donate online.

Where: 51 Zaca Lane, Suite 150, San Luis Obispo

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday

For more info: Call 805-781-6400 or visit luminaalliance.org.

Salvation Army

What: The Salvation Army accepts monetary donations, as well as new toys for children age 1 to 13, gift cards for children age 14 and up, clothing, shoes, food and hygienic items at its San Luis Obispo location. They also need frozen turkeys for the Christmas holidays. To apply for the Salvation Army Angel Tree program, visit saangeltree.org. The Salvation Army also urgently needs volunteer bell ringers this year.

When: The toy giveaway and family gift baskets that will be distributed on Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 815 Islay St. in San Luis Obispo. The bell-ringing campaign runs until Dec. 24 at 2 p.m.

Where: The Salvation Army currently operates three centers: 1550 West Branch St., Arroyo Grande; 711 Paso Robles St., Paso Robles; and 815 Islay St., San Luis Obispo. The Atascadero and Morro Bay service centers have since closed, and the Paso Robles location will be covering these areas moving forward. The Paso Robles location’s Food Pantry is open Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. No walk ins, you must call for an appointment. For other locations, call for hours of operation. Closed weekends and all major holidays.

For more info: The Arroyo Grande location can be reached by calling 805-270-3555 or visiting arroyogrande.salvationarmy.org. The Paso Robles location can be reached by calling 805-221-8075 or visiting pasorobles.salvationarmy.org. The San Luis Obispo location can be reached by calling 805-544-2401 or visiting sanluisobispo.salvationarmy.org/san_luis_obispo_corps.

SLO County Sheriff’s Bicycle Giveaway

What: Since 1989, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office has been giving away bicycles during the holiday season. And in that spirit of giving, the agency is seeking donations for its Christmas Bicycle Giveaway. The Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help by asking for new bicycles, new helmets or monetary donations for replacement parts. It will be accepting adult bicycles, but prefers children’s bicycles since they are in high demand. If you would like to make a monetary contribution for the purchase of bikes, parts or helmets, send a check to: Sheriff’s Advisory Foundation Attention: Bicycle Fund, P.O. Box 3752, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403.

Where: Individuals and businesses who wish to donate children’s bicycles or new helmets in their original packaging can bring them to any of the Sheriff’s Office Patrol stations or to the Sheriff’s Honor Farm located on Highway 1.

When: The Christmas Bicycle Giveaway will take place on Wednesday at 9 a.m.

For more info: Visit the Sheriff’s Office website at slosheriff.org/news.

SLO Food Bank

What: The SLO Food Bank collaborates with a network of community partners to alleviate hunger in San Luis Obispo County and build a healthier community. Each month, the SLO Food Bank provides nutritious food to 45,000 people experiencing hunger through its Neighborhood Food Distributions, Pantry and Community Hub, Senior Home Delivery Program, Children’s and Seniors’ Farmers’ Markets and its Hunger Relief Network of over 70 nonprofit partners.

Help feed SLO County by making a monetary donation or signing up to volunteer at a distribution near you.

Where: 1180 Kendall Road, San Luis Obispo

When: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 4 p.m.

For more info: Call 805-238-4664 or visit slofoodbank.org

SLO Noor Foundation Health Clinics

What: The Noor Foundation is on mission to provide free medical, dental, vision and mental health care to uninsured adults in San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties. The SLO-based health clinic have approximately 125 monthly volunteers, doctors, dentists, optometrists, ophthalmologists, nurses, psychiatrists, administrative staff and other supporting roles who provide over 850 monthly volunteer hours in service to its patients and the community. It relies on community and private donations and community grants.

Where: 1428 Phillips Lane, Suite 203, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

For more info: Call 805-548-0894 or visit slonoorfoundation.org/donate to make a donation.

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 of Greater Paso Robles 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. To find its online wish list, make a donation or discover where to drop off donations, visit prtoybank.org or Facebook.com/ToyBankGreaterPasoRobles.

For more info: Email info@prtoybank.org to coordinate a donation pick-up or drop-off. Visit the website ate prtoybank.org/toys.

Toys for Tots

What: The Marines’ Toys for Tots program works to supply Christmas gifts to families in need. The Atascadero campaign covers Santa Margarita, Atascadero, Templeton, Pozo, Creston and California Valley and is done with the cooperation of the Kiwanis Club of Atascadero. The Cambria campaign meanwhile is sponsored by American Legion Post. No. 432. 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 “Donate a Toy” tab to see collection box locations or to make a monetary donation.

When: Requests for North County toys are only accepted through atascadero-ca.toysfortots.org under the “Request a Toy” tab and need to be received by Dec. 15. Cambria’s donations are accepted through Christmas.

Info: For the Atascadero campaign, call 805-391-4430 or visit atascadero-ca.toysfortots.org. For the Cambria campaign, call 618-531-8320 or cambria-ca.toysfortots.org.

Transitions-Mental Health Association

What: A nonprofit organization that serves San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties, Transitions-Mental Health Association is dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness through work, housing, community and family support services. Do you have a home, apartment or piece of property you can donate to its Supportive Housing programs? T-MHA is always looking for ways to house more of its clients. Info: Email Michael Kaplan at mkaplan@t-mha.org for details. You can also check the T-MHA website to see a complete list of items to donate or to make a monetary donation.

Woods Humane Society

What: Donations made during Woods Humane Society’s Home for the Holidays drive can give hope to homeless dogs and cats and help them find food, shelter, medical care and a home in time for the holidays. You can donate online at WoodsHumaneSociety.org.

When: The Home for the Holidays drive lasts through the month of December.

Where: 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo, and 2300 Ramona Road, Atascadero.

For more info: To reach the San Luis Obispo shelter, call 805-543-9316 and to reach the Atascadero shelter, call 805-466-5403.

40 Prado Homeless Services Center

What: The Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County (CAPSLO) is collecting donations for the 40 Prado Homeless Services Center. The items most needed at the shelter are sleeping bags, tents, new underwear of all sizes for men and women, men’s clothing, socks, travel-size hygiene products and coffee. Check the 40 Prado website to see the complete list or to make a monetary donation. 40 Prado will also be hosting a gathering where Santa Claus will hand out donated gifts to the children, as well as snacks. There will also be a Christmas carol sing along.

Where: 40 Prado Homeless Services Center, 40 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo

When: The 40 Prado holiday party will take place Dec. 22.

For more information: Call 805-748-7693 or visit the website at capslo.org/donate-homeless.

5Cities Homeless Coalition

What: The 5Cities Homeless Coalition is transforming the lives of those who are homeless or facing homelessness throughout San Luis Obispo County. The coalition accepts donations of new socks, sweatpants, sweatshirts, rain ponchos, hygiene items and more. To donate your items, contact Alistair Chong at 805-550-8701 or email alistair.chong@5chc.org. Monetary gifts can be made online via the 5Cities Homeless Coalition website, or mail checks to 5CHC, P.O. Box 558, Grover Beach, CA 93483.

Where: 100 South Fourth St., Grover Beach

For more info: Call 805-574-1638, email info@5chc.org or visit 5chc.org.