PD Editorial: Helping the hungry

<p>If you’re able to help, here are some organizations in Sonoma County that provide groceries or meals for people in need:</p><p>• The Redwood Gospel Mission will host its annual Thanksgiving dinner for 5,000 people on Wednesday, then it will gear up to do it again at Christmas. Donate online at srmission.org., bring a turkey to the mission, at 101 Sixth St. in Santa Rosa, or call 578-1830.</p><p>• The Redwood Empire Food Bank supplies soup kitchens and food pantries throughout the region. Donate online at refb.org, send contributions to 3320 Industrial Drive, Santa Rosa 95403, or call 523-7900.</p><p>• The Salvation Army distributes more than 20 tons of food to more than 1,200 needy families each month. It is currently seeking volunteers for its annual red kettle campaign. Address: 93 Stony Circle, Santa Rosa 95401. Phone 542-0981.</p><p>• The Committee on the Shelterless provides shelter, transitional housing and training and serves 100,000 meals and distributes 500,000 pounds of food annually. Donate online or see a wish list and volunteer opportunities at cots-homeless.org, or send a donation to COTS, P.O. Box 2744, Petaluma 94953.</p><p>• Food for Thought, a Forestville-based food pantry, serves AIDS and HIV patients. Donate online at fftfoodbank.org. To volunteer, e-mail volunteer@fftfoodbank.org, or call 887-1647.</p><p>• The Family Support Center is a shelter for homeless families. Services include medical screenings and employment and housing counseling. Donate online at srcharities.org, send contributions to Catholic Charities, P.O. Box 4900, Santa Rosa 95402 or call 528-8712, ext. 160.</p><p>• The Council on Aging delivers more than 250,000 meals annually to senior citizens and provides social, financial and legal services. You can volunteer or donate at councilonaging.com. Send donations to 30 Kawana Springs Road, Santa Rosa 95404 or call 525-0143.</p><p>If you want to draw attention to another deserving charity this holiday season, post a comment on this editorial.</p>