Several organizations throughout our region are helping the homeless throughout the year. If you are looking for a worthwhile cause to donate time or money to this holiday season, consider supporting their local efforts. The needs are many and include volunteer opportunities.

Places you can give –

LOCAL SHELTERS & HOMELESS SERVICES:

BUTTE COUNTY / CHICO:

Chico Community Action Agency of Butte County, Inc.’s

Esplanade House – Chico

Their mission is to “To provide a safe, healthy and nurturing environment for homeless families while implementing a goal-oriented program designed to help homeless parents and children move from crisis to self-sufficiency.”

Torres’ Shelter – Chico

101 Silver Dollar Way, Chico CA 95928  (530) 891-9048

Cash donations can be made at: http://chicoshelter.org/donate/ . Find information on volunteering at http://chicoshelter.org/volunteer/ .

Donation Drop-off: 10am-3pm M-F.  While they cannot accept clothing, they continue to need towels, twin sheets and blankets, personal hygiene items and cans of food.

Church of the Homeless Jesus – Church – Providing Spiritual Support

20th St. Community Park

Chico    (530) 566-6419

LASSEN COUNTY/SUSANVILLE:

Various agencies and churches offer help to the homeless in Lassen County. Donations of time, supplies and money are always needed. Check out the websites to research their needs and how you can give.

Salvation Army – Susanville

Salvation Army Social Services Center

1560 Main St  (530) 257-0314

Salvation Army – Susanville

55 S Weatherlow St.  (530) 257-0314

Crossroads Ministry – 2410 Main St. Susanville (530) 251-0701

CrossroadsSusanville.org offers opportunities to volunteer, life-changing stories, and plenty of reasons to give- with a PayPal button where you can easily make a donation online.

Lassen Family Services – Susanville 530-257-4599

24-Hour Crisis HOTLINE: 530-257-5004

http://lassenfamilyservices.org

TEHAMA COUNTY:

P.A.T.H. Poor And The Homeless – Tehama County Coalition

P.O. Box 315,

Red Bluff CA 96080

Email: [email protected]

Donate at http://redbluffpath.org/?s=donate

If you know of a shelter we missed, please email us at [email protected] and we will include them in this article online.

Making BLESSING PACKS for the Homeless

Looking for ideas to help the homeless in our own neighborhoods led us to BayAreaRescue.org. The Bay Area Rescue Mission recommends creating “Blessing Packs” to have ready when you run into an opportunity to give one to a homeless person.

They suggest some lightweight items packs might include:

• Shampoo & Conditioner

• Soap & Deodorant

• Body Lotion

• Tissue

• Comb

• Socks (white athletic)

• Toothbrushes

• Toothpaste

• Dental Floss

• Towels & Washcloths

• Shower Sandals

• Socks (men, women and children)

• Underwear (men, women and

children)

• Women’s Hygiene Needs

• Disposable Diapers & Wipes

• Lightweight snacks (granola bars,

dried fruits, nuts, crackers,

sunflower seeds, etc.)

• Winter items may include hat,

scarf, gloves, thick socks.

Enclose personal items in ziploc® bags and place them in a plastic bag with handles.

You can download a shopping list or donate to the cause at bayarearescue.org.