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A Friendly Place/Manor
A drop-in center for homeless women run by the Sisters of St. Joseph
of Carondelet.
Need: Christmas gifts for women, cold and cough medicine,
socks (new or clean used), wash cloths (new or used), safety razors, spray
deodorant, air freshener, hotel size soap, shampoo and lotion.
Where: 2298 San Pablo Ave., Oakland 94612
Contact: Sister Maureen Lyons, CSJ
(510) 451-8923
Bay Area Crisis Nursery
A 24-hour care center for children (birth through age 11) whose families
are in crisis.
Need: Age-appropriate books, games (especially for ages
8 and older), puzzles, craft kits for ages up to 12; dolls of all ethnicities
and doll clothes and accessories; videos/DVDs (rated G only), portable
CD players; sports equipment (footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, baseball
gloves, bats and balls, skateboards with helmets), music CDs for all ages,
jewelry and beauty kits for girls ages 8 and up. No war toys, guns, knives
or violent materials including action figures. Low-denomination pre-paid
phone cards, movie tickets, batteries, bath gel, hand-held games. Only
new and unused items, all delivered unwrapped.
Where: 1506 Mendocino Drive, Concord 94521
Contact: Sandy Hathaway, (925) 685-6633
Birthright
An international pregnancy service that supports pregnant girls and
women who need help by providing positive alternatives to abortion.
Need: Crib blankets, receiving blankets, sleeping bags,
baby towels, one-piece stretch outfits, diapers, maternity clothes, cash
donations and volunteers.
Where: 3043 Clayton Road, Concord 94519
Contact: Linda Easterday, director (925) 798-7227
Need: Maternity clothes, baby clothes, layettes, cash
donations and volunteers. Also in need of office counselors and board
members.
Where: 1520 Catalina Court, Building C, Livermore 94550
Contact: John M. Kupski, director (925) 449-5887 or 1
(800) 550-4900; Fax: (925) 449-5164
Need: Volunteers, prayer support, cash donations, newborn
and small size diapers, maternity clothes, and gift cards for office supplies.
Where: 1048 Grand Ave., San Lorenzo 94580
Contact: Rosanne Maki, (510) 481-9677
Casa Vincentia
A residence for pregnant women, 18-25, who are homeless and/or in
crisis.
Need: Cash donations for operating expenses, volunteers
for annual crab dinner, volunteer accountant, grant writer, carpet cleaner,
cases of white copy paper, 10 flashlights w/batteries, comforter sets
twin and full, new blankets twin and full, bath towels and wash cloths,
new layettes for infants, bottles, socks, booties and caps, disposable
diapers (newborn, 1,2,3, 4), inexpensive everyday watches for mothers,
bathrobes (large and extra large), toiletries (bath gel, soap, lotion,
shampoo, conditioner, etc.)
Where: 3210 62nd Ave., Oakland 94605
Contact: Barbara Jackson or Theresa Chambers, (510) 729-0316
Catholic Charities of the East Bay
Providing help and creating hope for people in need throughout Alameda
and Contra Costa counties.
Where: 433 Jefferson St., Oakland 94607
Contact: (510) 768-3100 www.cceb.org
Adopt-a-Family
Individuals, parishes, businesses or schools adopt a family in need
throughout the year. This is an opportunity to walk with a family through
a particularly troublesome time of their lives, helping locate furniture,
bedding, clothing, housing and job opportunities.
Need: Long-term sponsorship of a family.
Contact: Carol Leahy, (510) 768-3165
Tidings of Joy
Helps families in need during the holiday season with gifts of clothing,
toys and household items (or certificates), food for a special family
feast, even a tree and decorations if you’d like. Every family has
different needs and they usually provide a wish list including sizes and
preferences.
Need: Donors willing to sponsor a family during the holidays.
Commitment is approximately $250 per family. Placements are being made
in Brentwood, Concord, Oakland and Richmond areas. Financial contributions
are also accepted, payable to “Catholic Charities Tidings of Joy,”
433 Jefferson St., Oakland, CA 94607.
Contact: Carol Leahy, (510) 768-3165
Project Joybells
Annual toy drive for children of CCEB clients spearheaded by long-time
volunteers, Dorothy Buckley and Mary Moyce.
Need: Financial contributions payable to “Catholic
Charities Joybells,” 433 Jefferson St., Oakland, CA 94607
Contact: Beverly Jacobs, (510) 768-3109
Turkey Fund
Distributes Christmas turkeys to agencies, community programs and
parishes for families in need.
Need: Contributions, payable to “Catholic Charities
Turkey Fund,” 433 Jefferson St., Oakland, CA 94607
Needed by: Friday, Nov. 30.
Contact: Joe Vallor, (510) 768-3138
Contra Costa Interfaith Coalition
A network of faith-based communities, including several Catholic churches,
which assist the needy in Contra Costa County by buying, preparing and
distributing food at the Concord Homeless Shelter, and by supporting transitional
housing programs that help the homeless to become self-sufficient.
Need: Cash donations, new or washed blankets, box springs
and mattresses, clothing, Safeway or Lucky’s gift certificates,
sleeping bags, volunteers.
Where: 3319 Deerpark Dr., Walnut Creek 94598
Contact: John Krajcir (925) 937-6742
East Bay Sanctuary Covenant
Founded in 1982 to assist Central American refugees fleeing brutal
injustice, East Bay Sanctuary Covenant today provides thousands of refugees
from many countries with legal assistance on immigration matters. It also
helps many with needs such as shelter, food, and education. EBSC continues
to support grassroots groups in Central America, Haiti and Asia who are
struggling to defend human rights and alleviate poverty.
Need: Donations of money or gift cards for the many families
in need. Volunteers to work in office and with refugees. Blankets, sheets,
and towels always welcome for refugee house.
Contact: Sister Maureen Duignan (510) 540-0956 or (510)
521-6349
FACE (Family Aid-Catholic Education)
Since 1978, FACE has provided tuition assistance to low-income families
who desire to send their children to Catholic schools in the Oakland Diocese.
Almost 900 elementary and high school students are currently receiving
FACE grants, but more than 1,100 needy students remain on the waiting
list.
Need: Financial contributions to help students on our
waiting list; donations of items for our upcoming auction fundraiser;
volunteers to assist with mailings and annual auction/dinner event scheduled
for April 5, 2008.
Where: 3014 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland 94610
Contact: Vickie Maloney, development associate, (510)
628-2155
Family Emergency Shelter Coalition (FESCO)
A local, grassroots nonprofit organization formed by a coalition of
churches and community members in 1986 to help serve homeless families
and children. The emergency shelter has 24 beds. FESCO opened four units
of transitional housing in 1999 for an 18-month stay, and a co-housing
facility in 2003 for a six- to eight-month stay.
Need: Gift certificates for grocery shopping (Target,
Payless Shoes, Home Depot), monetary donations, twin and full-size sheets
and comforters, new bath and face towels, kitchen towels, new trash cans
(yard size and bedroom size), postage stamps.
Where: 21455 Birch St., #5, Hayward 94541
Contact: (510) 886-5473
Lasallian Educational Opportunities (LEO)
Center
An after-school tutoring and homework help center for 6-12th grade
students in north and west Oakland; English language and computer training
for adults. Operated by the Christian Brothers.
Need: Binder paper, calligraphy pens, ink cartridges,
plain paper, graph paper, money for magazine subscriptions, new books
for the library, educational games, poster board, acrylic paints, brushes,
copy paper, foam board; a new or refurbished copier.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 3238, Oakland 94609
Contact: Deacon Noe Gonzalez (510) 450-0747
Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa
The largest provider of meals to the hungry in Contra Costa County
serves over 185,000 meals per year. Over 60 churches, including Catholic
churches, synagogues, service and community organizations provide the
majority of volunteer teams that prepare and serve daily meals at dining
rooms in Antioch, Concord, Martinez, Oakley, and Pittsburg.
Need: Cash donations, volunteers.
Where: P.O. Box 3335, Danville 94526 (925) 837-8758
Mary’s House
A refuge for homeless and pregnant women in crisis. Women may reside
here until their babies are six months old. Mission: to assist women to
become self-sufficient through certification program, work and/or school.
Parenting and life skills classes offered.
Need: Gift cards or certificates (Target, Toys R Us,
Mervyns, Ross, Safeway, Costco, TJ Maxx); warm bathrobes (M. L, XL), house
slippers (sizes 7 to 9), flannel pajamas (M, L, XL); plain twin and full
size sheets (no flower prints), twin size blankets (thick, warm or goose
down). Fund a need (monies towards specific projects, call for list.)
Quality items also needed for Silent Auction to be held March 1, 2008.
Where: 1850 Church Lane, San Pablo 94806
Contact: Analyn F. Garcia, (510) 236-0383, e-mail: maryshouse@sbcglobal.net.
Mercy Brown Bag Program
Sponsored by Mercy Retirement and Care Center, this program provides
bags of nutritious groceries to over 1,900 needy seniors twice monthly,
free of charge. Bags are distributed through 15 food distribution sites
located throughout Alameda County.
Need: Cash donations, large-sized paper bags, plastic produce bags, all
sizes of Ziploc bags. Volunteers to take bags to homebound seniors.
Where: 3431 Foothill Blvd., Oakland, 94601
Contact: Joy Clinton (510) 534-8540, ext. 369
Monument Crisis Center
An emergency food pantry and community support center assisting 3,600
at-risk families with food, information, educational workshops, tutoring,
senior programs and referrals.
Need: Cash/checks to buy food or food donations of dry
or canned foods or fresh produce; diapers, especially sizes 4-6; gift
cards of small denominations ($10-20) to Safeway or Grocery Outlet (Pleasant
Hill). Checks/cash to help with transportation to ride The County Connection
and Monument Route 8 bus routes to be used for client employment, school,
or health appointments.
Where: 2350 Monument Blvd., Suite B, Concord 94520
Contact: Sandra Scherer, executive director, (925) 825-7751;
e-mail: sscherer@monumentcrisiscenter.org
Next Step Learning Center
A literacy program and GED preparation program operated by the Sisters
of the Holy Names.
Need: Volunteer tutors, cash donations for literacy books,
financial assistance for students unable to afford a bus pass and to pay
for GED examination fees.
Where: 2222 Curtis St., Oakland 94607
Contact: Sister Cynthia Canning, SNJM or Sister Rosemary
Delaney, SNJM
(510) 251-1731
Nights on the Streets — Catholic Worker
Hospitality to the homeless and needy in local communities by providing
food, clothing, shelter assistance, counseling and referral, and assisting
others who do so.
Need: Prayers for health, guidance, and the support of
our continuing works; financial support for our fourth year of shelter
operation run with staff from two Catholic Worker houses; volunteers to
prepare and service thrice-weekly “soup nights” each winter
(this includes cooking 10 gallons of soup and distribution the same evening).
Foods: canned and dry goods for our food pantry which serves 100-125 persons
per month; a structure capable of housing 8-10 workers and guests including
an expanded kitchen; a food storage area and extended bathroom/shower
facilities to supplement existing shelter facilities in the East Bay.
Mail address: P.O. Box 13468, Berkeley 94712-4468
Contact: J.C. Orton, (510) 684-1892; e-mail: noscw@sbcglobal.net
Oakland Elizabeth House
The Catholic Worker house provides a one-year residence for single
women and women with children who have experienced the poverty of homelessness,
violence or addiction. Mission: to support women and children in their
transition to independence and self-sufficiency.
Need: Cash donations for rent and utilities; gift cards
from Safeway, Whole Foods, Costco, Target, Home Depot, Trader Joe’s;
dry erase markers; postage stamps; new or nearly new working vacuum cleaners;
pure juice (no sugar added), peanut butter, canned tuna, spaghetti sauce,
flour, sugar, olive oil; tissues; paint supplies and painters; cordless
drill; cleaning supplies; passes for movie theaters or events; escrip
registrations for Safeway, Macy’s, etc. (go to www.escrip.com
and register for Oakland Elizabeth House).
Where: 6423 Colby St., Oakland 94618
Contact: Francel D’Andrea, (510) 601-1213; e-mail:
franceld@oakehouse.org; web:
www.oakehouse.org
St. David’s Food Pantry
An outreach ministry that provides food for low-income families. Food
is distributed 9 – 10:30 a.m. every Friday behind St. Mark Church,
Richmond. Conducted by St. David Parish in Richmond in cooperation with
other area parishes and churches.
Need: Cash donations, volunteers, prayers for the ministry.
Where: St. Mark Church, 159 Harbour Way, Richmond 94801
Contact: (510) 237-1531
St. Mary’s Center
A multi-service center for the poor in Oakland.
Need: Volunteers to “Adopt-a-Family.” Will
arrange a match for individuals, families or parishes interested in providing
Christmas gifts and dinner for a family in need: this includes a gift
for each child and monetary donation to St. Mary’s Center marked
“Christmas Food” to cover a $60 food voucher for your adopted
family. Volunteers to prepare and/or serve evening meals for 25 homeless
seniors in emergency Winter Shelter, December through April; funds to
help pay for the renovation and move to our new site.
Where: 925 Brockhurst St., Oakland 94608
Contact: Sister Marilyn Medau, PBVM (510) 923-9600, ext.
220
St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County
St. Vincent de Paul Free Dining Room
Daily free meals to men, women and children in downtown Oakland, 10:45
a.m. – 12:45 p.m., also prepare free lunches for 15+ satellite locations
in Alameda County.
Need: Volunteers, cash donations, turkeys, hams, macaroni,
cheese, aprons, disposable aluminum trays, office and janitorial supplies,
a chilled water dispenser, commercial vacuum cleaners, large coffee makers,
disposable latex gloves, #10 canned foods, spices, condiments, sugars,
salt, pepper, beverages, 8 oz. cups, plastic sandwich and/or large sizes
food bags, plastic garbage bags, laundry soap, napkins, late model pickup
trucks.
Where: 675 – 23rd St. (at San Pablo Ave.), Oakland
94612
Contact: Jonas Williams (donations) at (510) 451-7676;
volunteer coordinator (volunteers) at (510) 877-9237.
Champion Guidance Center for Men
Drop-in center for men offering laundry, showers, hair cuts, clothing,
health care, mailbox service, Internet access, substance abuse meetings.
Tuesday – Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Need: Cash donations, volunteers, disposable shaving
razors, small bars of soap, personal care items, socks, t-shirts and underwear,
hair clippers, sleeping bags, phone cards, commercial vacuum cleaners,
video camera and tripod, digital camera, cassette duplicating machine.
Where: 2280 San Pablo Ave., Oakland 94612 (between 23rd
Street and West Grand)
Contact: Derrick Ross, (510) 877-9218
Visitation Center for Women and Children
Drop-in center for women and children offering laundry, showers, clothing,
diapers and formula for infants, health care, educational classes. Tuesday
– Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Need: Cash donations, new children’s clothes and
new toys for Christmas, disposable diapers, personal care items, socks
and underwear for women and children.
Where: 2260 San Pablo Ave., Oakland 94612 (between 23rd
and West Grand)
Contact: Derrick Ross, (510) 877-9218
Food Locker
10,500 square foot food bank providing groceries and staples to 150+
churches, nonprofit organizations and community groups.
Needs: Volunteers, large quantities (i.e. pallets) of
canned foods, turkeys, ham, cheese.
Where: 9235 San Leandro St., Oakland 94603
Contact: Jerry Ratti, (510) 636-4250
Shelter, Inc., of Contra Costa County
A charitable nonprofit organization that annually helps 4,000—5,000
individuals, almost half of them children, facing homelessness in the
county, moving the homeless into homes, preventing homelessness, and expanding
affordable housing.
Need: Twin or double beds, sheets, blankets, pillows,
and personal care items; baby blankets, diapers (all sizes) and training
pants; volunteers with trucks who can help move beds and furniture. We
are able to coordinate groups who would like to provide furniture and
household items to help a family move into a home in time for the holidays.
Call donation line for updates: (925) 957-7577.
Where: Administrative office, 1815 Arnold Dr., Martinez
Contact: Theresita Ortiz, (925) 957-7561, theresitao@shelterincofccc.org
Winter Nights Family Shelter
Twenty-six parishes and faith congregations provide a warm, safe place
to sleep for homeless families with children and elderly individuals in
central Contra Costa County from Oct. 15 – April 28, 2008. The shelter
provides three meals a day, tutoring and transportation to school for
the children, and case management and counseling.
Needs: Financial contributions for operating costs; BART
tickets.
Where: Interfaith Council of Contra Costa, 1543 Sunnyvale
Ave., Walnut Creek 94597
Contact: Gwen Watson, (925) 930-9965
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