Consideration for Donations and/or Volunteering

Posted on 01/11/2025

For your consideration for donations (LA Fires)

One quick way to know what an agency does or doesn't need is to check its website and social media channels. Organizations will often broadcast needs there first. You can also try calling, but understand some agencies may not have the bandwidth to answer phones.

Why donations can get overwhelming

Trying to manage donated objects like clothes, blankets and food can be difficult. Meanwhile, if you'd like to get your hands dirty and help people one-on-one, it's not as easy as just showing up.

Volunteering takes time

Local community groups may host events and drives, but big organizations like the Red Cross say it takes a bit of time before you can become a volunteer.

It may be a week of training at least before they can deploy you to assist people.

Don't be too disappointed that you can't volunteer right away, though, because many services are needed well after the flames are extinguished. For example, volunteers might work with people to connect them with the right organizations and providers to help them get back on their feet.

How can I help, right now (Volunteering)

That said, here are a few options if you want to get involved right now:

Join LAIT911's disaster response and recovery team, including collecting donations and assisting with delivery.
LA Works - https://www.laworks.com/
American Red Cross - https://www.redcross.org/local/california/los-angeles/volunteer.html?srsltid=AfmBOopEOa-SeiGoe_rwyAlF7enOPwLZWnb8GGK3JvQTEDsctXKNUe58
LA Fire Department - https://lafd.org/join/volunteer
LA County Volunteer - https://volunteer.lacounty.gov/
City of Los Angeles - https://lacity.gov/residents/community-assistance/volunteer-your-community
Los Angeles Food Bank - https://www.lafoodbank.org/volunteer/

BELOW ARE LOCATIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN LOOKING FOR AGENCY TO DONATE TO -

American Red Cross

https://www.redcross.org/donate/cm/cbs-pub.html/

World Central Kitchen

https://donate.wck.org/give/499865/?_gl=1*1xkrdmj*_gcl_au*MTk5MDIxMzExMS4xNzM2Mzc0ODk2*_ga*ODkwNjgzOTc0LjE3MzYzNzQ4OTY.*_ga_5WKVY8503C*MTczNjM4MzQ3OS4yLjAuMTczNjM4MzQ4MC41OS4wLjA.#!/donation/checkout?c_src=navbar

Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation

https://supportlafd.kindful.com/?campaign=1040812

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

https://www.lafoodbank.org/fire/

California Fire Foundation

https://cpf.salsalabs.org/disasterrelief/index.html

League of California Community Foundations

https://lccf.org/disaster-relief-funds/

Anderson Munger Family YMCA

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEkqExGPDQX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

International Medical Corps

https://internationalmedicalcorps.org/emergency-response/los-angeles-wildfires/?form=LAFires2501&appeal=DPHHL2501

Direct Relief

https://www.directrelief.org/

Best Friends Animal Society

https://bestfriends.org/emergency-response/los-angeles-wildfires

Operation Blankets of Love

https://www.obol.info/ways-to-give/

Local in North San Fernando Valley -

North Valley Caring Services Food Pantry
Location: 15453 Rayen Street, North Hills
Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Items Requested: