North San Diego County and regional organizations and individuals are gathering donations for those who have lost their homes and possessions in the Los Angeles area wildfires sweeping through Altadena, Pacific Palisades, Malibu and elsewhere.
Already, the Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego’s Encinitas location reported that it filled four moving trucks’ worth of supplies to deliver to Los Angeles-area organizations to boost their relief efforts. From Jan. 10 to 12, more than 300 volunteers helped sort donations and pack the trucks, and organizers tallied more than 1,500 vehicle deliveries of items for donation.
The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association and Pannikin Coffee & Tea were among several organizations that assisted in the effort.
Although the Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego’s drive is finished, there are still ways for locals to donate items for fire victims in the coming days and weeks.
Help for injured and displaced animals
Freddie’s Place Animal Hospital of Vista, in partnership with Frontwave Arena in Oceanside and the San Diego Sockers, aims to collect essential items to support animal welfare organizations assisting animals displaced and injured in the fires.
Now through Jan. 17, community members can donate the following items:
✔ Towels and blankets
✔ Water bowls
✔ Pet food (dry and canned)
✔ Collapsible crates or carriers
✔ Leashes and harnesses
✔ Animal first-aid kits
✔ Pet beds
✔ Treats and toys
✔ Heating pads or hot water bottles
✔ Litter and litter boxes
✔ Cleaning supplies (such as disinfectant wipes and gloves)
Donations can be delivered to Frontwave Arena, 3475 Hero Drive in Oceanside, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; during San Diego Sockers games from 4 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 15 and 17.
Freddie’s Place Animal Hospital, 2395 S. Melrose Drive in Vista, is accepting ongoing donations from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information, contact Anthony Carchedi at 619-300-6813 or anthony@freddiesplace.com.
Deliveries in Vista for San Diego Food Bank
North County residents can deliver donations to the San Diego Food Bank’s Vista Warehouse.
The Food Bank is partnering with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in its efforts to assist families and individuals in need.
Donations are sought for the following:
✔ Water
✔ Energy bars
✔ Pop-top tuna and chicken
✔ Raisins and other dried fruit trail mixes
✔ Peanut butter crackers
✔ Cheese crackers
✔ 100% juice boxes
✔ Individual cereal boxes
✔ Diapers and wipes
Donations can be dropped off at the organization’s Vista Warehouse, 3030 Enterprise Court, Suite A, in Vista, east side of the building doors, between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Saturday. Donations can also be delivered to the organization’s Miramar Warehouse, 9850 Distribution Ave. in San Diego, Loading Dock 0.
Feeding San Diego is accepting monetary donations that go toward items such as ready-to-eat meals, water and snacks. Those donations can be made by going to its webpage devoted to the cause.
Updates from the San Diego Foundation
The San Diego Foundation’s Emerging, Important Needs webpage is providing updates on local efforts to help those in need, including a list of Los Angeles area relief funds seeking assistance from the region.
Helen Woodward Animal Center assistance
The Helen Woodward Animal Center’s rescue vehicle will be making multiple trips to shelters in Los Angeles County in support of animal welfare services during the crisis.
In addition to corporate donations in support of its team and the animals it helps, members of the community can deliver donations to a drop-off as the organization calls for them. As of Jan. 14, donations were at capacity, according to an update.
The Helen Woodward Animal Shelter is located at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe. Call 858-756-4117, ext. 1, for more information.
Help for university students
Students attending San Diego State University and UC San Diego and residing North County could be affected by the Los Angeles-area fires directly or indirectly as their families begin the recovery process.
Citing the more than 300 SDSU student families who come from the fire-destroyed communities, SDSU announced that its Economic Crisis Response Team is working to provide resources such as housing support, gift cards for groceries and fuel, and other necessities. Donations from the SDSU community are helping ECRT to continue and expand the assistance.
The university’s Economic Crisis Response Team is accepting donations to support affected students through its online donation portal.
UCSD announced on Jan. 14 that it, too, is utilizing its resources for students affected by Los Angeles fires. Among the services available is The Hub Basic Needs Center. Monetary donations to its Basic Needs Initiatives can be made through its online donation page.
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