Nonprofits search for donations, volunteers for the holiday
season
The holidays are just a few days away, but there are still ways
that locals can get involved in volunteer opportunities or donate
to those in need. Below is a special holiday dinner open to the
public, as well as some organizations that need help
year-round.
Nonprofits search for donations, volunteers for the holiday season
The holidays are just a few days away, but there are still ways that locals can get involved in volunteer opportunities or donate to those in need. Below is a special holiday dinner open to the public, as well as some organizations that need help year-round.
Holte Holiday Dinner
637-9037
Volunteers and donations are needed for the Holte Holiday Dinner planned for Dec. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the O’Reilly gym at Sacred Heart School. Santa Claus will be on site to visit with attendees. As with the Thanksgiving dinner, volunteers are needed for various tasks before and after dinner is served. The board members said they are especially in need of turkey donations this season.
For information on how to donate or volunteer time, contact Larry Brown at 637-9037.
Pet Friends
2975 Buena Vista Road
634-1191
While Pet Friends volunteers mostly would like new homes for the many animals they work with for the holidays, they also have plenty of other ways people can help. In a recent newsletter, the Pet Friends volunteers created a Wishing Tree that has many of the animals available for adoption, as well as some of the items needed to continue caring for the animals. Items that are needed include Advantage flea and tick medication for dogs and cats, dog and cat food, scoopable clumping litter, kitty condos and scratching posts.
They even break down what different monetary donations can support – $25 feeds an abandoned pet for three weeks; $40 provides a medical exam for a kitten or a puppy; and $75 covers the cost to spay or neuter a dog or cat.
The group can also use volunteers year-round, and needs help with everything from socializing cats, walking dogs or landscaping/carpentry.
Grocery store collections
At Save-Mart, shoppers can purchase a $20 bag of groceries for donation and store staff will donate 10 percent of their total grocery bill to charity, in addition to the bag of food staples.
At Raley’s Nob Hill, shoppers can donate $10 for the “Food for Families” program at the checkout stand and the money goes to Community Pantry.
Toys for Tots campaign kicks off
341 Tres Pinos Road, Ste. A
637-9233
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has joined forces with the United States Marine Corps Reserve to collect gifts for Toys for Tots. New, unwrapped toys can be donated at more than 336 Northern California Coldwell locations, including the Hollister branch.
St. Benedict’s/Sacred Heart Catholic Church
680 College St., 637-9212
Donations of food staples, canned and dry goods, are accepted at the parish office weekdays during open hours, as well as at each of the weekend Masses.
Community Pantry
www.communitypantry.com
1133 San Felipe Road, 637-0340
The local food bank staff and volunteers offer up meals to more than 1,700 San Benito County families each week. Unfortunately, as purse strings tighten on federal, state and local funding, the staff relies more and more on individuals to provide enough food to keep hungry residents fed.
Homeless Task Force
801-9531
Shelter staff and volunteers will be cooking meals at the Community Center on West Street and then transporting food to the shelter on South Side Road, more volunteers than ever are needed. In addition, donations of paper plates and disposable utensils will come in handy, as well as items that are always in need such as socks, hygiene products and blankets. To volunteer, or donate, contact Cindy Parr, shelter manager at 801-9531
