Celebrations: How you can help

Food, shelter and clothing are life’s basic necessities, but too many Sonoma County residents lack access to them. At a time when we gather to give thanks for our blessings, leaders of local nonprofits share their missions and ways we can help them provide hot meals, warm blankets, indoor beds and a helping hand when people most need one.

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Redwood Empire Food Bank

While many families across Sonoma County sit down to lavish Thanksgiving feasts today, others will be struggling just to put food on their tables.

At the Redwood Empire Food Bank, Thanksgiving marks the beginning of its busiest season. The organization feeds 82,000 Sonoma County residents year round, said David Goodman, the executive director.

“Our mission is to end hunger in our community,” he said. “Hunger doesn’t know whether or not it’s Thanksgiving.”

During the holidays, the organization gives out hams and turkeys to families, while ramping up fundraising. About 40 percent of its $7.6 million budget is raised in the last two months of the year. The Food Bank spends 96 cents of every dollar on food, Goodman said.

Besides monetary donations, it also is looking for donated food items. For volunteers wanting a more hands-on role, the Food Bank has volunteer positions at its Brickway Boulevard warehouse. Volunteers pack boxes of food and bags of produce. To volunteer, visit refb.org.

Another way to help is by advocating in support of policies that will feed our neighbors in need, Goodman said.

“People should recognize everything they have and help repair the world,” he said.

- Matt Brown

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Redwood Gospel Mission

Redwood Gospel Mission, which hosts the annual Great Thanksgiving Banquet at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, is doing something extra this year. With the help of 30 local churches, it has organized what it is calling a “nomadic shelter” for the homeless.

For the next four months, the churches will participate in a rotation, opening their facilities to provide one night of shelter for the homeless. Churches will use parish halls, classrooms, fellowship halls and any available spaces to provide makeshift overnight housing.

“The churches that have done it so far have shown radical hospitality,” said Jeff Gilman, executive director of Redwood Gospel Mission. “They have provided sit-down dinners for the homeless, and not just served them but dined with them. They’ve really been a part of the church community so far.”

Gilman said the rotation, which was launched Nov. 16, will go around about four times for each church over the course of the next month. There are still vacant slots that could be filled by four church participants.

As it does every year, the mission hosts the annual Thanksgiving banquet at the fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, where about 5,000 people are served. That event, which serves a traditional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes and vegetables, requires the help of hundreds of volunteers, Gilman said.

The mission’s work during the holidays doesn’t end at Thanksgiving. The organization seeks volunteers as it reaches out to the homeless in December, culminating in three days of Christmas-related events Dec. 23-25. For information on how to help, call 578-1830.

- Martin Espinoza

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Social Advocates for Youth, Santa Rosa

There will be no shortage of ways the community can help Social Advocates for Youth this year as it fulfill its mission of providing support, opportunity and hope to Sonoma County children and their families.

With a wetter than usual winter already arriving, SAY is working hard to meet the short-term needs of the homeless youth who may find themselves braving the elements, explains SAY executive director Matt Martin.

Toward that end, SAY is hosting the Dream Walk on Friday, Dec. 5. The 6 p.m. event in Old Courthouse Square has as its admission price items that homeless teens and young people desperately need: sleeping bags, sweatshirts (sizes L-3X preferred), tarps and deodorant. The goal is to raise awareness about homelessness in the county while gathering supplies needed to help young people address the challenges they face living on the street, Martin said.

For those interested in directing support toward a longer-term fix to the county homeless epidemic, he said The Dream Center continues to need substantial community support.

With the contentious approval process behind it, SAY is moving forward with plans to transform the former Warrack Hospital site on Summerfield Road into a 63-bed facility for adults ages 18 to 24 who are transitioning out of foster care or are homeless.

The project still faces a lawsuit from neighbors, but backers are pushing forward and the capital campaign is in full swing. Donations of all levels are encouraged, Martin said.

For those hoping to help in a hands-on way, The Dream Center early next year expects to begin organizing volunteers and mentors for the young people the center will serve. These volunteers are expected to serve a vital role in helping at-risk youth get whatever support they need to be become educated, productive members of society.

“There’s going to be a lot of opportunities for people to help out the Dream Center in the coming year,” Martin said. “We’re talking about developing a table that is big enough for everyone.”

- Kevin McCallum

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Salvation Army

The holiday season is a time when the Salvation Army steps up to nurture people in a variety of ways.

“The Salvation Army believes in addressing or meeting the needs of people physically, socially and spiritually. That’s our mission, and without discrimination,” said Major Joe Murray, who works out of the Santa Rosa office.

During Thanksgiving week, the Corps supplies turkeys for needy families and partners with the Redwood Gospel Mission to help feed thousands of people who show up at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds for the Great Thanksgiving Banquet. There, the Salvation Army offers referrals to its programs, including a boxing club that incorporates tutoring and mentoring students with their homework.

Of course the ubiquitous bell ringers with their kettles make their appearance this time of year to help collect donations for toys and food that benefit close to 1,200 families in the Santa Rosa area.

Families apply ahead of time to participate in the giveaway that takes place Dec. 20 at the Salvation Army office on Stony Circle.

“We want to make sure they have a good Christmas dinner, boxes with food and food for a number of days after,” Murray said.

Extra bell ringer proceeds fund services such as rental assistance, or helping with energy bills beyond Christmas.

There is a need for volunteer bell ringers, as well as people to help sort toys and food. For more information on how to help, call 542-0981 or visit salvationarmy.santarosa.

- Clark Mason

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La Luz, Sonoma

For three decades, La Luz Center has been providing food, emergency housing assistance and other basic needs in Sonoma Valley. It also has been helping to improve the quality of lives of thousands of residents through English-language, parenting and nutrition classes and other services.

Its work this year focuses on financial security, education, community engagement and health and wellness, executive director Juan Hernandez said. For example, the agency recently rolled out a microloan program to help residents start or expand businesses. It also organized nutrition workshops and mental health support groups.

Hernandez said he would like to see these services offered for decades to come to residents in the Sonoma Valley.

“We have deep roots in this community,” he said. “That’s what motivates us.”

But they rely heavily on residents for support in offering those services. About 60 percent of their funding comes from private donations, Hernandez said.

They also have 200 volunteers who help distribute food, teach residents how to use a computer or speak English, and pitch in to provide other services, he added. The nonprofit has a small staff of seven people and serves about 7,000 people a year.

“We’re able to have a bigger reach because our volunteers are able to do more,” Hernandez said.

To donate or volunteer your time, call 938-5131.

- Eloisa Ruano Gonzalez

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Council on Aging

If it’s hard to accept that many of Sonoma County’s elderly, absent help, would go without a holiday meal, let alone someone to share it with, contemplate this: Food insecurity among the community’s seniors is so pronounced that the Council on Aging expects to provide 285,000 meals by the end of the year through its Meals on Wheels program.

The nonprofit agency offers 17 programs that provide financial and legal help, care management and companionship to about 5,000 annually in its bid to promote well-being and independence among the aging, said Marianne McBride, president and chief executive.

But nutritional operations provide the most basic sustenance to many, even as available funding dries up, she said. At this point, the council has to raise enough money to subsidize $3.50 to $4 of each meal it provides. It has been able to keep pace, but the need just keeps growing.

Contributions and volunteer help with the Meals on Wheels program, which provides food and a touch-point for needy seniors, is the agency’s greatest urgency and an ongoing one.

But there are a host of ways to help: from volunteering with day programs, dining sites, administrative work, in the kitchen, even the Secret Santa gift exchange next month. Anyone wanting to volunteer can contact volunteer coordinator Michele Leonard at 525-0143 ext. 147, or mleonard@councilonaging.com.

Donations can be made to Council on Aging Services for Seniors, 30 Kawana Springs Road., Santa Rosa, CA 95404.

- Mary Callahan

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Committee on the Shelterless, Petaluma

Mike Johnson, CEO of Petaluma’s Committee on the Shelterless, said his agency’s mission this time of year is the same as the rest of the year: to end homelessness for families and veterans in Sonoma County.

“There are hundreds of homeless families and veterans across the county,” he said. “Our vision is to form multiple-agency collaborations and share best practices to solve these most vexing problems in our community.”

How can people help?

“Of course, funding is required to realize this bold vision,” he said. “COTS still needs almost $200,000 to fund current-year operations, including $65,000 for veterans permanent housing and financial literacy programs.”

Donations can be made through COTS’ website, cots-homeless.org.

How can people become involved in a hands-on way beyond giving money?

During the cold, wet months, donations of new or slightly used cold- and wet-weather clothing and gear is appreciated, he said, and clean, dry socks are always in demand.

“More warm blankets are also needed as we expand the shelter to bring in more people out of the cold this year,” Johnson said.

At this time of year, COTS receives an abundance of offers to volunteer, and those positions fill up fast, he said, but here are some other ways to get involved and help this year:

Hold a food drive or holiday gift drive. Contact volunteers@cots-homeless for the Petaluma Kitchen pantry list or a list of gifts to collect.

You could also put up a COTS Giving Tree in your office, store or place of worship. Use an artificial tree or even an outline on a wall.

COTS will provide paper ornaments that people can take with them to shop for gifts. Gender, age range and directions on where to drop off the gifts are written on the ornaments.

For more information, visit volunteers@cots-homeless or call Indigo at 765-6530 ext. 111.

- Lori A. Carter

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Friends in Sonoma Helping Sonoma Valley

For most people, the holidays aren’t complete without a hearty meal in the company of good family and friends.

Trouble is, not everyone has the means to pull off a grand feast.

That’s where organizations such as Friends in Sonoma Helping Sonoma Valley, or FISH, come in.

“Our goal is to make sure every family in Sonoma Valley is equipped to create a holiday dinner for their family,” said executive director Sandy Piotter.

She said the organization expects to hand out between 400 and 450 baskets filled with canned goods, fresh food and $15 Lucky’s gift certificates that people can use to purchase turkeys or other main course meats. The number of baskets has held steady in recent years, Piotter said.

“Whether it’s good times or bad, that’s where it’s at,” she said.

Piotter said people can help by volunteering to put food baskets together at the Hanna Boy’s Center in mid-December. Other opportunities are available as well. Call 996-0111.

- Derek Moore

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Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation

The goal of Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation this year is to hold true to its ongoing mission: supporting Sonoma County’s only 24-hour emergency shelter for abused, abandoned and neglected children.

The foundation raises funds for a scholarship program for youths graduating out of foster care and seeking higher education, a dental program that provides free care to children staying at the home, and other needs that arise at the home, which is run by the county.

“We continuously look for ways to enhance the lives of the children who live here,” said Laura Colgate, foundation president.

Valley of the Moon Children’s home serves kids of all ages who have to be taken from their families for a variety of reasons.

There are lots of ways for people to help financially, such as providing individualized scholarships, she said. For instance, “If somebody is interested in music, they can sponsor a youth interested in getting a degree in music.”

To date, the foundation has given out 116 scholarships totaling $350,000, she said. There’s also a huge need for donations to the dental program, which has so far served about 400 kids.

And there are plenty of ways to get involved with the cause beyond donating money. The home is always looking for volunteers to take children on outings, participate in a reading program or do hands-on art and music projects.

Anyone interested in volunteering can get started by visitingvomchildrensfoundation.org.

- Jamie Hansen

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St. Vincent de Paul Society

When the Great Recession reached Sonoma County, the St. Vincent de Paul Society saw a 30 percent increase in the number of people who lined up for the daily lunch at its Wilson Street location in Santa Rosa.

Over time, the economy improved, the stock market rebounded and unemployment settled back into normal levels. But the people kept coming for the nutritious food on the daily lunch menu, said St. Vincent de Paul Society’s executive director Dana Luce.

“Our numbers went up during the recession, and they have not gone down,” she said.

“When they went back and got new jobs, they were not paid as much.”

For that reason, St. Vincent de Paul’s mission has remained the same - to feed as many impoverished people as it can during the daily afternoon meal.

The proceeds from the St. Vincent de Paul Society thrift store in Rohnert Park go toward the organization’s meal program.

The group also provides goods and services to those in need, with the aim of promoting self-sufficiency by “raising awareness of one’s ability to change his or her own spiritual and communal destiny,” Luce said.

During the previous fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, the society served more than 88,000 meals. About 240 to 250 people come out for the meal each day.

Luce said the number of people balloons at the end of the month, when people run out of money.

When faced with the choice of buying food or paying rent, “they’re going to pay their rent,” she said.

Luce said local residents who want to help can do so in a number of ways. They can donate a turkey, volunteer to serve during the daily meals or drive the society’s donation pickup.

St. Vincent de Paul gets food donations from Safeway, Costco, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and others, and the truck goes out every day from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The society also can use help during the Christmas holiday. The organization can use toy donations and volunteers for wrapping presents.

For more information, contact Dining Room Manager Jim Kelly at 528-7580.

- Martin Espinoza

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Catholic Charities

Winter invites cooler temperatures and sometimes rain, but during the holidays, the season also exacerbates the need among homeless people in Sonoma County.

During Thanksgiving and Christmas, the nonprofit Catholic Charities ramps up outreach for vulnerable populations, hosting free community meals for shelter residents and homeless people.

“The holidays are a really difficult and emotional time for so many of the people we serve,” said Jennielynn Holmes, the agency’s director of shelter and housing.

Catholic Charities is hosting a Thanksgiving celebration today at its shelter locations.

Friday mornings, the nonprofit also provides free coffee, hot chocolate and personal hygiene items from 7 to 9 a.m. at 600 Morgan St., Santa Rosa.

Holmes said the public can help by giving money or other donations such as blankets, socks and coats. Donations can be dropped off at 465 A St., Santa Rosa.

Catholic Charities is asking for help delivering supplies to people sleeping on the streets or along creek paths. Members of the public can also help serve Thanksgiving dinner at three shelter locations in Santa Rosa - Samuel L. Jones Hall, Family Support Center and the Nightingale shelter located at the Brookwood Health Center.

“We’re trying to make it as easy as possible for people to get through a tough situation,” Holmes said.

- Angela Hart