The winter pandemic season will hit vulnerable residents of the Bay Area especially hard. Food banks in particular need your help, per this KQED report.
Do you have a favorite charity or cause that serves the Bay Area? Share the information in the comments section below.
Alameda County Food Bank
The Alameda County Food Bank distributes millions of healthy meals every year and is on the forefront of new approaches to ending hunger and poverty. Their website states that need has doubled due to the COVID-19 crisis. You can help fight hunger in the community by donating, organizing a virtual food drive, or volunteering.
Covenant House
Covenant House California (CHC) is non-profit youth homeless shelter that provides sanctuary and support for homeless and trafficked youth, ages 18-24. CHC provides a full continuum of services to meet the physical, emotional, educational, vocational, and spiritual well-being of young people in order to provide them with the best chance for success in independence. You can help by donating money, purchasing items on their Amazon wishlist, or participating in their upcoming drive-by holiday gift drive, “Cov-Love Caravan,” on November 23.
Donate items on their Amazon Holiday Wishlist
Cov-Love Caravan Holiday Gift Drive – November 23
Meals on Wheels of Alameda County
Since 1987, Meals on Wheels has worked to end senior hunger in Alameda County. Each year, they deliver over 500,000 meals to seniors in our community and they continue to deliver meals to homebound seniors during the COVID-19 crisis. You can support their work by donating.
Oakland at Risk
Oakland at Risk is matching residents at high risk for COVID-19 with healthy, low-risk adults under 60 to assist with food shopping, medication pick up, and more. Once a match is made, it is up to the pair to coordinate delivery of essential supplies and to create a check-in schedule by phone or email. You can support Oakland at Risk by volunteering to help an immunocompromised neighbor, or by donating to help fund urgent needs such as groceries, prepared meal delivery, utility bills, adult diapers, safe transportation, laundry, cleaning, and sanitation products.
St. Mary’s Center
St. Mary’s Center is a community of hope, justice, and healing that serves at-risk seniors and preschoolers in the heart of Oakland. They provide emergency winter shelter, transitional housing, hot meals and groceries, social services, and money management. Support from the community allows them to serve more than 4,000 people each year. Check out the various ways you can support seniors and families this holiday season below.
Donate items on their wishlist
Adopt a family for the holidays
Adopt a senior for the holidays