5 Orgs to Support this #GivingTuesday
When GivingTuesday started in 2012, it had a big goal: to make giving more central in our daily lives. In 2022 alone, 20 million people donated money, 11 million gave goods, and 10 million volunteered, collectively impacting countless lives. We’ve seen how the last few years have impacted individuals and families all across our country and how there is more of a need than ever to get involved and help whenever or however you can. That’s why we’re rounding up some local organizations you can support this GivingTuesday, and all year long. Not local? Do a quick search to find a shelter, food bank, or any worthy organization in your area that you can donate to or volunteer with. And let’s all feel inspired to keep the giving going long after this Tuesday, and the holidays.
Alma Backyard Farms
Inspired by the stories of previously incarcerated individuals eager to give back to their community, Alma Backyard Farms started in 2013 to reclaim lives, repurpose land, and reimagine community. Proposing real solutions to the challenges of California's overcrowded prisons and food injustice in low-income neighborhoods, Alma recognizes that no lives or land is to be wasted and creates opportunities for the previously incarcerated to become agents of health, safety, and community.
You can volunteer at one of their monthly farm days or book a private group experience day. You can also support their mission by shopping at their farm stand or attending a monthly farm brunch.
Donate directly to Alma Backyard Farms here.
The Center Long Beach
Started in a living room in 1977, The Center has been providing a variety of health, social, advocacy, legal, and service programs to the LGBTQ community in the Greater Long Beach area for three decades. Today they serve over 25,000 people a year through an array of services including support groups, workshops and seminars, youth services, free HIV & STI testing, legal assistance, domestic violence services, employment referrals, mental health counseling, cultural and social activities, educational forums, and a thriving volunteer program with an active database of over 300 volunteers.
From front desk help to support group facilitators and more, they have so many ways you can volunteer on a consistent basis at the center. Or if you can’t make a long-term commitment, they can always use extra help with their events and special programs throughout the year.
Donate directly to The Center Long Beach here.
Aquarium of the Pacific
As Southern California’s largest aquarium, the Aquarium of the Pacific’s mission is to instill a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants, and its ecosystems. In addition to its public programs and exhibits, the Aquarium is involved in numerous conservation efforts, including breeding and rehabilitating endangered species, sustainable seafood, watershed education, climate resilience, community science, and more.
The Aquarium has volunteer opportunities for almost everyone, including families with children as young as 9, who take part in education, community outreach, and more.
Donate directly to the Aquarium of the Pacific here.
Food Bank of So Cal
As long as there are hungry children, families, and seniors, The Foodbank of Southern California intends to be a major force in the fight against hunger. Their mission is to provide healthy, nutritious food to the community’s hungry residents and to ensure that no individual goes hungry by procuring, transporting, and distributing between 40 and 60 million pounds of food per year. From there the food gets channeled as quickly as possible to hundreds of charitable organizations that re-distribute it to the most needy individuals in their communities. These organizations depend on the Foodbank because they are not able to independently handle the logistics of transportation, warehouse space, and refrigeration.
You can volunteer as an individual, with a group, or with your co-workers by helping to sort and inspect food at the warehouse or at the Mobile Pantry within the community. You can also hold an online fundraiser or host your own food drive.
Donate directly to Food Bank of So Cal here.
Downtown Women’s Center
Founded in 1978 and located in Downtown LA, the Downtown Women’s Center focuses exclusively on serving and empowering women experiencing homelessness and formerly homeless women. DWC manages 119 units of permanent housing across greater Los Angeles and has grown to serve more than 5,700 women annually. They provide a wide array of resources to decrease barriers and end homelessness for good for all women, including female veterans and their families, women with severe physical and mental health concerns, and survivors of domestic violence. They were the first, and continue to be the only, health clinic exclusively serving women in the Skid Row community and drop-in day center exclusively serving homeless women in the city of Los Angeles.
They have many ways of volunteering individually or as a group on-site, as well as remote and offsite opportunities like building Snack Packs, Toiletry Kits, and Clean Home Kits
Donate directly to the Downtown Women’s Center here.
To find out more about each of these organizations, you can head to their websites or follow them on IG to keep up with the work they’re doing. We truly hope this inspires you to volunteer your time or donate directly to any of these deserving non-profits that are working so hard to care for the people in their community.
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