Are you wondering how to help those impacted by Bay Area wildfires? Here’s a list of organizations that are accepting donations of money, supplies and time. Please check county guidance for specific suggestions regarding donations.
Noel Allen and Frankie Brenchley-Allen, owners of The Treehouse Cafe in Boulder Creek on Thursday Aug. 20, 2020. They been feeding Boulder Creek Fire Department since the cafe closed on August 18. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)
General Relief Funds
Global Giving Wildfire Relief: This fund is beginning by assisting first responders and meeting immediate needs for survivors of food, fuel, clean water, medicine and shelter. It then plans to transition to support recovery efforts run by local organizations in the region. “We monitor the impact on affected communities and work with partners on the ground to allocate funds to where they’re needed most,” according to Global Giving.
Latino Community Foundation: The Latino Community Foundation is relaunching its NorCal Wildfire Relief Fund. “Our hearts are hurting with our neighbors in Northern California,” their website states. The fund aims to support frontline community partners, workers and families most affected in the 2020 wildfires. They note that Latinos make up 71% of the workforce at vineyards and other agricultural businesses.
Today, we are reactivating the NorCal Wildfire Relief Fund to support those in need.
Our hearts are with the farmworkers, families and frontline workers being affected by the fires across California.
Letâs step up to help them. pic.twitter.com/94wj3hr2ZH
— Latino Community Fdn (@LatinoCommFdn) August 20, 2020
Location-Based Relief Funding
The South Coast:Puente, located in Pescadero along the South Coast, has served the community for more than ten years.
Staff members serving Pescadero, La Honda, Loma Mar, and San Gregorio have combined efforts with the Red Cross, Human Service Agency of San Mateo County and the Sheriffâs Department to set up an evacuation center at Pescadero High School. According to their website, over 60 families have been provided with hotel â but needs are expected to increase as fires and evacuations continue.
Santa Cruz Community Fund: The Santa Cruz Community Fund works with nonprofit partners and are responding to needs from the fires as they evolve.
Monterey County Fire Relief Fund:The Community Foundation for Monterey County created the Monterey County Fire Relief Fund to assist communities affected by current and future wildfires. Donations to the fund will support both immediate needs in addition to recovery efforts.
Napa County Relief Fund: In response to the LNU Lightning Complex fires, the Napa Valley Community Foundation established a special fund to provide relief and recovery services to those affected in Napa Valley. According to their website, the foundation has committed an initial $100,000 to the fund.
Vehicles burned by the LNU Lightning Complex sit off Pleasants Valley Road near Vacaville on Aug. 19, 2020. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)
How to Help Firefighters
While many have expressed support and appreciation for firefighters and first responders, donations should be directed to the Red Cross or Cal Fire Foundation.
We appreciate the outpouring of support for firefighters. Like @calfireSCU, we are not set up to receive mass donations. Thankfully, all our immediate needs are covered. Please consider a donation to support the victims of the fires via @RedCrossNorCal: https://t.co/YtkI7FRXf6. https://t.co/FA3909FhP0
— San Jose Fire Dept. (@SJFD) August 20, 2020
Supply Donations
Santa Cruz County: As of Saturday Aug. 22, the County of Santa Cruz reported an urgent need of donations. Taking COVID-19 into consideration, the county is requesting all donations be new. Donations may be brought to the Santa Cruz County Warehouse at 1082 Emeline Ave. in Santa Cruz.
#CZULightningComplex donation center,1082 Emeline Ave open 8-8 daily through the end of the month (at least). An additional drop-off is being established in South County with details to come. Please DO NOT bring donations directly to shelters. Thank you – you are amazing!
— Santa Cruz County (@sccounty) August 23, 2020
Mutual Aid
Santa Cruz Mutual Aid Facebook GroupÂ
Volunteer
Volunteer at a fire shelter in Watsonville, Santa Cruz or Soquel. Learn about opportunities through the Volunteer Center. Help pack and distribute food with Second Harvest.
We’ll continue updating this post with relevant information â please send us a tweet if you have additional suggestions.
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