Many ways to donate to Bay Area causes
Looking for ways to make a difference this holiday season? Here are some ways to help philanthropic groups throughout the Bay Area.
Santa Clara County Alum Rock Counseling Center:
The 2018 Toy Drive and Holiday Appeal is underway. Donate $100 or more to ARCC through Dec. 31 and receive a $5 Starbucks gift card. For toy drop-off locations and details, go to www.alumrockcc.org or call 408-240-0070, ext 3020.
Asian Americans for Community Involvement:
Collecting new, unwrapped toys and children’s clothing through mid-December for children of our most underserved clients, including families of refugees and survivors of domestic violence. Seeking nonviolent toys, activity sets, board games, athletic equipment and more. Monetary donations are also welcome. A full holiday wish list is available at aaci.org/holiday-toy-drive-2018 or on AACI’s Amazon Wishlist, a. co/0wxYwG6.
The Bay Area Furniture Bank:
This nonprofit, which believes no one should be forced to live, sleep and eat on the floor, provides furniture to families, who have suffered personal tragedy or disaster. Monetary donations can be made at bayareafurniturebank.org.
Santa Clara County’s Adopt-AFamily program fulfills holiday wishes of more than 1,600of the neediest youth and families selected by the county Department of Family and Children’s Services. www.billwilsoncenter.org.
Bill Wilson Center: Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley:
Provides enrichment programs for more than 3,000 at-risk youth at 12 locations throughout Santa Clara County. Board games and school and art supplies are always needed. Support the holiday gift drive by donating a new, unwrapped gift or gift cards for boys and girls, ages 6-18, at 518 Valley Way, Milpitas. bgclub.org.
Caminar / Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley:
Help to brighten the season for local families and adults who are healing from family violence, mental illness or substance abuse and rebuilding their lives. Most sought: $5-$10food/ beverage gift cards, toiletries, and new adult/child socks, knit hats and coats. 650-513-1509; development@caminar.org. www. caminar.org
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County:
Serving 40,000people of all cultures and beliefs, this organization welcomes cash and in-kind donations, including new, unwrapped blankets and winter jackets and sweaters for kids and adults. Items should be new and unwrapped. Cash donations — used for rent assistance, bus passes and other basic needs — will be matched this holiday season through a two-to-one challenge grant from the Sobrato Family Foundation. www.catholiccharitiesscc. org.
Child Advocates of Silicon Valley:
Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASAs, provide critical emotional and educational support to foster children in dependency hearings. Donate gift cards for teens (Kohl’s, Target, Walmart) and new toys for children of all ages at Child Advocates, 509 Valley Way, Milpitas; www.BeMyAdvocate.org.
Provides thousands of low-income families in need with holiday food boxes, meals, coats and Christmas toys. Donate canned food, unwrapped toys, new or gently used coats, winter scarves, hats and gloves to Cityteam Community Services, 1297 N. 13th St., San Jose, or volunteer in the dining hall. www.cityteam.org.
Cityteam: Community Solutions’ Holiday Giving Program:
Provides gifts and necessities to more than 600 low-income families for the holidays. Donate gift cards (Target, Walmart, grocery stores), new toys or gifts or cash donations; communitysolutions.org.
ConXión to Community:
This nonprofit provides education, workforce and other services to disconnected youth and adults. conxion. org/about-us.
Downtown Streets Team:
DST has found more than 1,600 homes and jobs for people who once lived on the streets. Monetary donations, gift cards, socks and hygiene products are all ongoing needs. StreetsTeam.org.
Eating Disorders Resource Center:
The holidays are a challenging time for those struggling with eating disorders and body image issues. EDRC hosts free weekly support groups for individuals who do not have insurance or the ability to pay for services. Cash donations are always welcome. www.edrcsv.org.
The Family Giving Tree:
Since 1990, the Family Giving Tree has provided adopta-family gifts for more than a million Bay Area children, families and seniors from low-income households. Fulfill a wish online at www. familygivingtree.org/donate or call 408-946-3111 to contribute.
Family Supportive Housing:
Provides interim emergency housing and supportive services to homeless families. Financial donations are most needed this holiday season. Gift cards for gas, groceries and clothing are also appreciated. Go to www.familysupportivehousing.org and click on “how to help.”
Grail Family Services: Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley:
Assists low-income people in need. Donations of cash and supermarket, gas and store gift cards are always welcome. New, unwrapped toys, gift cards and nonperishable food are especially needed during the winter holidays. www.jfssv.org.
Formerly InnVision Shelter Network, this organization provides interim housing and support services for homeless families. Cash, gift card and in-kind donations — linens and bedding, adult clothing, kitchen supplies and toiletries — can be made through www.lifemoves. org/holidays.
LifeMoves: Live Oak Adult Day Services:
Needs soft, warm items like socks, sweaters, gloves, etc., to give to our seniors as stocking stuffers and personal gifts from Mr. & Mrs. Santa. Also welcomes grocery and retail gift cards. To donate, call 408-971-9363, email liveoakdaycare@att.net or go to www.liveoakadultdaycare.org.
Loaves and Fishes:
Homeless and hungry families, children, seniors, veterans and students can receive a no-cost, hot nutritious meal year-round. Your generous financial support and holiday food donations (frozen turkeys, canned hams, stuffing mix) would be most welcome. www. loavesfishes.org.
Martha’s Kitchen:
This private nonprofit, community-based agency is seeking frozen turkeys and 5-pound hams. Donations may be dropped off at 311 Willow St., San Jose, at the Sacred Heart Church grounds through Dec. 23. www. marthas-kitchen.org.
NAMI Santa Clara County:
This agency, which offers support and mental health education, is holding an annual holiday gift drive — socks, scarves, gloves, hats, travel-size toiletries, playing cards, $5 gift cards for food and beverages — for gift bags that will be delivered to more than 600 people in need at local hospitals, selfhelp centers, churches and homeless shelters. Learn more at bit.ly/2DBFX7o and namisantaclara.org.
Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence:
Needs help in providing items for its emergency pantry of basic hygiene items and diapers for survivors of domestic violence and their children. Go to bit.ly/ NDSWishList or contact development@nextdoor. org; 408-501-7544; www. nextdoor.org.
Portuguese Organization for Social Services and Opportunities:
Seeking donations of toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper and paper towels), socks, gloves and toys for the needy. Monetary donations are most welcome and appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at the offices 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. 1115 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose. 408-293-0877; www.portuguesecenter.org.
This volunteer alliance of medical professionals and volunteers provides free health care services to uninsured families. Learn more about how to volunteer or donate financially at www.rotacarebayarea.org.
RotaCare Bay Area: Peninsula Acknowledge Alliance:
Students face complex challenges that impact their ability to focus on learning. Many live in poverty, cope with depression, battle immigration issues. With our resilience-building tools and trauma-informed services, we are not only reaching students but also supporting educators. www. acknowledgealliance.org.
Holding a One Warm Coat drive through Dec. 12. Coats can be dropped off at the school, 1017 Cedar St., San Carlos. www.arborbayschool.org.
Arbor Bay School: Art in Action:
Empowers children through an arts education by providing classroom lessons that develop creativity, critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills through hands-on learning with art. Donations ensure that all students have access to art, especially those in Title I and underserved schools; www.artinaction. org/donate.
The Art of Yoga Project:
Delivers ongoing yoga and creative arts programming to incarcerated teen girls in San Mateo County’s juvenile justice system. Seeking monetary donations for art and yoga supplies and to compensate specially trained instructors. www. theartofyogaproject.org.
Christmas Bureau of Palo Alto:
This nonprofit organization provides monetary assistance to more than 2,700 low-income individuals comprised of low-income families, seniors and adults. www.christmasbureauofpaloalto.org.
Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos:
This agency is seeking gift cards (Target, Walmart, Amazon) and holiday donations. www. csacares.org.
Daly City Partnership:
Gift of cash or checks will support a mental health program for families with children who have experienced trauma, and scholarships for after-school enrichment classes. Donations of gift cards (Target, Safeway), new toys, and new or gently used clothing and small home goods will be given directly to families in need, seniors on fixed incomes and the homeless. www. dcpartnership.org.
Dragon Productions Theatre Company:
Seeking funding for six plays, developmental workshops of new plays by local artists, and community building programs to turn the Dragon Theatre into the Peninsula’s premier community performing arts venue. www. dragonproductions.net.
Ecumenical Hunger Program:
Donate cash, gift cards, turkeys, hams and chickens for underprivileged families in East Palo Alto, Palo Alto and Menlo Park. www.ehpcares.org.
Holiday fitness equipment drive: Support Fit Kids by donating the equipment we use in our free fitness programs for kids. www.fitkids.org.
Fit Kids: Friends of Huddart & Wunderlich Parks:
Volunteer naturalists lead hikes for children to learn about nature, science and the joy of being in the outdoors. 52percent of participants live in poverty. With your support, we can provide free hikes and buses for low-income schools. www. huddartwunderlichfriends. org.
Gatepath:
Empowers children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their full potential. Gifts will help children meet developmental milestones like walking or talking and help adults secure their first jobs; www.Gatepath.org/ Donate.
Geek Club Books:
A volunteer-run autism awareness nonprofit committed to creating a world where autistic individuals are fully accepted, valued and have a voice. Monetary donations fund the work of our autistic writers, filmmakers, comic artists and speakers. geekclubbooks.com.
Provides adolescent sexual health education to almost 20,000students, parents and teachers each year across California. Help empower young people to make thoughtful choices about their relationships and sexual health throughout their lives by making a contribution. www.healthconnected.org.
Health Connected: Help a Mother Out:
Works to improve baby and family well-being by increasing access to diapers for families in need. Donations will help our diaper bank reach our goal of distributing 10 million diapers by March. www. helpamotherout.org.
Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley: Jewish Coalition for Literacy:
Volunteer reading tutors are the backbone of our organization. We provide structured training and then place our tutors one-on-one or with small groups of children in K-3 for read-aloud sessions. To donate or volunteer, call 415-977-7439 or go to www.jclread.org.
Help support low-income students in our career training programs with transportation passes, work uniforms, textbooks and emergency child care. These resources make it possible for our students to gain valuable job training and life skills. www.jobtrainworks.org.
JobTrain Inc: Justice At Last:
Provides free legal services and representation to survivors of human trafficking so they can seek justice on their terms. www.justiceatlast. org.
Kainos Home & Training Center:
Serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Kainos Community-based program. This provides the opportunity for individuals to increase their physical and mental health; enhancing physical activity, stress management, and nutritional education. www. kainosusa.org.
Its mission is to reduce carbon emissions to zero in Menlo Park by 2025. To volunteer or
Menlo Spark:
donate, go to www.menlospark.org.
Midpeninsula Community Media Center:
Levels the communications playing field by providing access to media tools and distribution. Using Midpen’s TV studio, production truck and video equipment library, individuals and nonprofits create and control their own stories. midpenmedia.org.
Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center:
Uses community mediation and mediative facilitation to empower people, build relationships and reduce violence. www.pcrcweb.org.
Peninsula Family Service:
Our Holiday Giving Guide is a unique way to give a meaningful gift for the holidays. Give in honor of a loved one, and we’ll send a special card showing how much you care — and the impact of your support. www.peninsulafamilyservice.org/holidayguide.
Peninsula Healthcare Connection:
This statelicensed medical clinic provides free health care and mental health services for homeless and low-income individuals in North Santa Clara County. peninsulahcc. org.
Peninsula Volunteers Inc.:
Our Meals on Wheels — San Mateo County program increases food security and access to nutritious food, keeping adults ages 65 and older well-nourished and healthy. Requesting monetary donations to help remove clients from the waitlist and provide them with meals (about 100 meals per person). www. penvol.org.
Project READ — Redwood City:
Redwood City Friends of Literacy offers literacy and educational programming that enriches the lives of families most in need. Help give the gift of reading this year through monetary donations, book donations or volunteering. www.projectreadredwoodcity.org.
Reading Partners Silicon Valley:
Empowers students to succeed in reading and life by engaging community volunteers to provide oneon-one literacy tutoring. In each partner school, we transform a space into a reading center where student-tutor pairs work for 45minutes twice weekly. readingpartners.org/location/silicon-valley.
Rebuilding Together Peninsula:
This organization provides renovation and repair services for the Peninsula’s most vulnerable homeowners — seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities and families with children. Learn how you can help by donating or volunteering at www.rebuildingtogetherpeninsula.org.
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, MidPeninsula Center:
Delivers intensive small business training classes and workshops, special programs for women, individual consulting, and access to capital and resources throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara counties; www.rencenter. org.
SafeSpace:
Services encompass youth outreach and community engagement that fosters emotionally connected young people and families. Support our teens who advocate for mental health and wellness in schools. Monetary donations are accepted through PayPal or website; safespace.org.
The Salvation Army:
Needs volunteer bell ringers. By volunteering to bell ring, you are helping your community with food, clothing, bus tokens and PG&E assistance, as well as food boxes and toys during the holiday season; www.registertoring. com.
San Mateo County Parks Foundation:
Addresses barriers to visiting parks by funding bus transportation that connects low-income youth to parks; www.SupportParks.org.
San Mateo Police Activities League:
Requesting donations of gift cards (Target, Safeway, Old Navy) to distribute to needy families as part of Santa Cop event in collaboration with the San Mateo Police Department; www.sanmateopal.org.
Science Is Elementary:
Support exciting hands-on science and engineering for elementary school students. Ninety percent of our students are low-income and 75percent are students of color; www.scienceiselementary.org.
Sisters of Mercy, Burlingame:
Participating in the One Warm Coat Drive, collecting for women, men and children. The drive runs through Jan. 4. www.sistersofmercy.org.
Tim Griffith Foundation:
Provides safe and sober housing for young men recovering from addiction, and holds grief retreats for parents who have lost a child. Tim’s House needs a sectional couch and window blinds. Grocery gift certificates and monetary contributions benefit the retreats. www.timgriffithfoundation. org.
Upward Scholars:
Seeking donations for low-income students to go toward books, laptops, bus passes or food vouchers. www. upwardscholars.org.