As the holiday season nears, many of us look for ways to give to our community, as well as our loved ones. Toy drives, food drives and special events give myriad opportunities for San Diegans to contribute to those in need. We’ve assembled a list of these charitable events and ongoing drives. Help make everyone’s holidays happy with our gift-giving guide below!
Gift and Toy Drives
“Giving Tree” at The Headquarters: For the second year, the USO San Diego is joining with The Headquarters at Seaport District for a three-week drive. The effort launched in November with a lighting of the 25-foot “Giving Tree” in the retail center’s courtyard (789 W. Harbor Drive, Marina District).
Donate: The USO is looking for gifts, toys for all ages, gift cards and monetary donations.
Benefitting: Military families
Visit: theheadquarters.com
International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) Holiday Gift Drive: Through Friday, Dec. 12, the IRC will be collecting donations at their office (5348 University Ave., Suite 205, City Heights/Rolando) from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday or by mail.
Donate: Unwrapped gifts for children and parents. Gift ideas are listed online by age group.
Benefitting: Refugee children who have arrived in San Diego over the past year
Visit: rescue.org/us-program/us-san-diego-ca
San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive: Now in its 24th year this drive’s drop-off locations include eight San Diego SmileCare locations, any Sheriff’s station or substation and the county courthouse through Dec. 5.
Donate: New teddy bears and other stuffed animals with tags attached
Benefitting: Children undergoing treatment at Rady Children’s Hospital
Visit: facebook.com/smilecaredentistry
Toys for Tots Program: The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve annual program collects toys and distributes them as Christmas Gifts. Drop-off locations are all over San Diego including their headquarters at the Marine Corps Reserve Center (9955 Pomerado Rd., Miramar).
Donate: New, unwrapped toys or make a monetary donation online
Benefitting: children of low-income families in San Diego
Visit: san-diego-ca.toysfortots.org
Food Drives
Feeding America San Diego Holiday Campaign: The organization is asking for support during the holiday season noting that 1 in 6 people, including 1 in 4 children, struggle with hunger in San Diego County.
Donate: One-time and monthly monetary gifts, volunteer at distribution centers, or organize a food drive
Benefitting: Children, families and seniors facing hunger throughout the holidays
Visit: feedingamericasd.org
The Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank Holiday Food Drive: Support for this drive comes in a number of ways and events.
Donate: A $10 pre-filled bag of food at San Diego Vons locations, monetary donations can be made online on behalf of a loved one or yourself, or you can host a virtual or actual food drive.
Benefitting: Individuals and families in need
Visit: sandiegofoodbank.org
San Diego Holiday Half Marathon Food Drive: The Joan Kroc Center/Salvation Army will be collecting donations during bib pick up for the half marathon on Sunday, Dec. 28.
Donate: Nonperishable food items
Benefitting: Local homeless shelters
Visit: sandiegoholidayhalf.com/food-drive
Stuff the Bus Food Drive:
For the seventh year, the Metropolitan Transit System, North County Transit District, Albertsons/Lucky and local Girl Scouts are teaming up for drive from Dec. 1 – 6.
Donate: Nonperishable food items at 39 Albertsons locations throughout the county Dec. 1 -5; on Dec. 6, 17 select locations (including La Mesa and San Carlos locations) will have “Stuff the Bus” events from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Benefitting: Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank
Visit: sdmts.com and gonctd.com
Special Events
“Make Change Count” Holiday Fundraising Drive: For the second year this fundraising effort asks individuals to make donations of coins (or by credit card) at stations throughout Downtown and online through Classy.org
Donate: Monetary donations of coins or through credit card payments.
Benefitting: Downtown Partnership’s Clean and Safe homeless outreach efforts.
Visit: downtownsandiego.org/clean-safe
Shoes with Heart: The Benchley Weinberger Foundation is collecting shoes, which the organization, Shoes with Heart, will pay for by the pound. Donated shoes will be collected at Benchley Weinberger (6269 Twin Lake, San Carlos) through Jan. 20.
Donate: Pairs of used shoes tied or rubber banded together (no tape); skates, golf shoes and single shoes not accepted.
Benefitting: Shoes are sent to developing nations; unusable shoes are recycled. Money raised will support the school
Visit: bwpta.org
Taylor Factory Tours for toy and food drive: Through Dec. 17, tour visitors at Taylor Guitars Visitor Center (1980 Gillespie Way, El Cajon) are asked to bring donation items in exchange for a raffle tickets (one per item); prizes in the raffle include TaylorWare and a GS Mini guitar (the grand prize). Tours are Monday – Friday at 1 p.m. (excluding holidays).
Donate: Non-perishable food items and/or unwrapped toys
Benefitting: The 39th Annual East County Toy and Food Drive
Visit: taylorguitars.com and salvationarmyelcajon.com
YWCA of San Diego Special Donation Drive: One of several annual YWCA drives, this year’s recommended drop off date is Thursday, Dec. 11 at their main building (1012 C Street, Downtown).
Donate: Gift cards, new toys and gifts for children of all ages, new gifts for women and men, holiday decorations and holiday stockings
Benefitting: YWCA clients and families through Becky’s House, Passages and the Cortez Hill Family Center programs
Visit: ywcasandiego.org
