Home Kids Toys & Gear City of Angels: Creative Ways Kids & Families Can Give Back Right Now by Jennifer O'BrienMay 20, 2020 Search more like this food bankfurry companionshigh riskhigh schooljewishkids gearmeal deliverysidewalk chalkbloodfooddonatebest friendspantrypet Advertisement Trending Now News Disney+’s Prices Are Increasing—Unless You Want to Watch Ads Food & Drink General Mills Is Bringing Back 4 Classic Sugar Cereals That Your Mom Never Let You Eat Viral & Trending Cat Sneaks into Family Car & Joins Their Road Trip, Becomes Instant Celebrity Viral & Trending Weatherman Discovers His Map Is a Touchscreen and His Reaction Is So Pure Celeb & Entertainment Serena Williams Announces Retirement: ‘If I Were a Guy, I Wouldn’t Be Writing This’ Advertisement During this challenging time, we’re all searching for ways to lend a hand – safely. And while many organizations are not currently accepting items you’ve cleaned out of your closets, there are plenty of other ways to help. So whether you’re looking to volunteer your time or prefer to make a donation, here are some incredible groups that are working hard support Angelenos right now. Andrew S. via Yelp Support Local Food Banks and Pantries Food instability is a difficult issue for many struggling families and as you can imagine, it’s even more so during a global pandemic. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is currently looking for both volunteers and monetary donations to purchase food supplies. Their website also features a food pantry locator if you’d prefer to reach out to specific food pantries in your neighborhood. Westside Food Bank is also currently seeking financial donations only (not donations of actual goods) to help keep operations running and food flowing to those who need it. The West Valley Food Pantry is looking for volunteers to help out, as well as donations of specific items. They’re also more than happy to accept any surplus of fruits and vegetables you may have from your trees or garden at home. Cassandra Y. via Yelp Meal Delivery for People in Need LA’s senior citizens, as well as Angelenos who have serious underlying medical conditions are at especially high risk right now during the Covid-19 outbreak. So it’s an enormous help to get their meals delivered safely. Two special organizations are working tirelessly to keep things moving during this time. Project Angel Food prepares and delivers healthy meals to feed people impacted by life-threatening illnesses. They are looking for volunteers and monetary donations if you are interested in reaching out.The LA chapter of Meals on Wheels delivers midday meals and supper to elderly and disabled citizens who are unable to prepare meals for themselves. They are currently looking for monetary donations to help support the Meals on Wheels Covid-19 Response Fund. Xelipe via flickr Teens Deliver Groceries to Seniors If you have high school or college aged kids at home, volunteering with Zoomers to Boomers may be right up their alley! This amazing organization was founded in mid-march by an enterprising 17-year-old in Santa Barbara who was looking for a way to help out during the coronavirus outbreak. Zoomers to Boomers has now expanded to twelve cities and worldwide, and is entirely made up of young people who are looking to help their community by delivering groceries to the elderly and immunocompromised. Seniors simply email their shopping list to Zoomer to Boomer and pay for their groceries electronically. Then, a Zoomer provides an easy no contact delivery without charge a delivery fee or tip. Bravo! Mike Mozart via flickr Much-Needed Blood Donations So Cal blood supplies are critically low at the moment due to coronavirus concerns and blood drive cancellations during the outbreak. However, it is still safe to donate and your help is greatly needed. The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region is currently scheduling drives throughout the city and it’s easier than ever to find one nearby.The Southern California Blood Bank is also looking for donors and is currently taking appointments only, online. They are in particular need of O blood types. Best Friends Animal Society via Yelp Foster a Furry Friend If you’ve been thinking about whether a dog or cat might be a good fit for your family, now is the perfect time to test the waters by fostering a pet. Local animal shelters are seeking caring families to foster pets during Safer at Home orders and beyond. Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles has a great list of local shelters and groups who could really use you some extra help with pet parenting right now. Jennifer O’Brien Other Homemade Ways to Help Here are some additional heartfelt ways you and your little ones can help make this time a little easier for others:– Create greeting cards for elderly neighbors and leave them in their mailbox, or send a handful to local nursing homes in your area.– Offer to pick up a few items for older neighbors when you’re making an essential run to the grocery store or drug store.– Use sidewalk chalk to write hopeful messages that will brighten your neighbor’s day or to say thank you to essential workers.– Encourage your block to step outside at the same time every evening to applaud all of the medical workers who are going above and beyond right now. Rachel M. via Yelp Once It’s Safe to Donate Items Again With so many of us organizing our kids’ closets right now, it’s no doubt you’ll come across a few treasures you’d like to donate to children’s organizations around town. While most places are not accepting donations of goods at the moment, here are some wonderful places to keep in mind once things start to reopen:Baby2 BabyHarvest HomeChildren’s Institute, Inc.DPSS Department of Social Services Toy LoanGood + FoundationSan Fernando Valley Rescue MissionGoodwill Southern CaliforniaNCJW-LA (National Council of Jewish Women Los Angeles)The Salvation Army – California South DivisionUpward Bound HouseTopanga Women’s CircleMEND (Meet Each with Dignity) –Jennifer O’BrienRELATED STORIES: Love Letter to LA: 11 Things We Can’t Wait to Do AgainSkip the Grocery Store: LA Restaurants Delivering Produce, Pantry Items & More Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Copy (Opens in new window) Search more like this food bankfurry companionshigh riskhigh schooljewishkids gearmeal deliverysidewalk chalkbloodfooddonatebest friendspantrypet Welcome to our Tinybeans family! Be sure to check your email for new activities, recipes and parenting hacks – and to see if you’ve won! Do you have a dog or cat? Select YES below and click submit to start receiving FREE pet ideas and inspiration, news about new pet products, exclusive offers and limited-time promotions. Yes, I have a pet! Submit GET READY FOR SUMMER! Enter to Win a $250 Gift Card! Enter your email and zip code below for a chance to win a Mastercard Gift Card. We’ll pick one winner per month through August 31, 2022 – 5 lucky winners in all! email zip_code campaign_name Enter Now! I agree to the official rules and to receive email communications from Tinybeans. By providing my email address, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. Accepting the use of cookies enables important site functionality including personalization and analytics. Accept Decline Create an account to save this content on Tinybeans Choose how you would like to sign up. Continue with Apple Continue with Facebook Continue with Google or Continue with Email By signing up, you agree to Tinybeans Terms of Service and acknowledge you have read and agreed to our Privacy Policy. Sign in to your Tinybeans account Don’t have any account? Create an account here. Forgot your password? Reset it here. Sign In or Continue with Apple Continue with Facebook Continue with Google Personalized recommendations Tinybeans uses personal information to share useful recommendations and ideas for your family. This may include your previous activity, family profile and your hometown. Tinybeans keeps your data safe and does not sell personal information to any third party. Learn more about your privacy and location choices. Close
Celeb & Entertainment Serena Williams Announces Retirement: ‘If I Were a Guy, I Wouldn’t Be Writing This’