More opportunities to help the needy in Orange County, this holiday season

My son Joey spent the day helping to feed the needy at Santa Ana’s Salvation Army, along with many of his friends from Godinez High School.  I am so proud of them!  But when I got a call today from a reader looking for more opportunities to help the needy, I did not know where to send him.  Luckily, State Senator Lou Correa recently published a list of charitable organiztions.  I added to  it.  Here it is – this my friends is what Thanksgiving is really all about:

Garden Grove

• Grandma’s House of Hope (GHH) – GHH distributes food, gifts, and toys to hungry children and their parents during the holiday season. Contact Lori Solomon at lori.grandmashouse@gmail.com for more information.

Orange

• Promesas de Yahweh Ministries (PDYM) – They provide grocery bags to people in need every weekend at their new location: 1622 S. Main Street, Santa Ana, 92707 (corner of Main and Pomona).  To volunteer, please call (714) 404-0029.
• Mary’s Kitchen –  They provide food and services to the homeless of Orange County, California. Click here to find out how to help.

Santa Ana

• Veterans First, Thanksgiving at the Veterans House on Manor – Veterans First is serving dinner to homeless veterans at four locations on November 25th from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Please contact Beau McGaughey at beau@veteransfirstoc.org for more information.
• The Wooden Floor – Each year, The Wooden Floor, previously known as Saint Joseph Ballet, provides gifts for 375 underprivileged youth at its annual student holiday party. Please contact Susie Forbath at Susie@TheWoodenFloor.org for more information.
• OneOC, Spirit of Giving – The Spirit of Giving is a service learning project where 1st grade students are taught the importance of community service. Please contact Shannon Reyes at sreyes@OneOC.org for more information.
• Mercy House Living Centers, Holiday Adopt-a-Resident Program – Please contact Ashleigh Anderson Camba at ashleigha@mercyhouse.net for more information.  (714) 836-7188.
• Official No One Left Behind – They collect food and give it away to the needy at the Delhi Center, on a regular basis.  For more info contact Joyce Hall at 714-973-1982, or email her at officialnooneleftbehind@yahoo.com.
• Catholic Worker – Click here to see their Volunteer Schedule.
• The Salvation Army Santa Ana Corps – Click here for volunteer information.

County of Orange

• The Orange County Toy Collaborative – The Orange County Toy Collaborative provides holiday gifts to children from low-income households. Please visitwww.ocgov.com/volunteer.asp for more information.
• Orange County Toy Collaborative – Operation Santa Claus distributes donated gifts and toys to underprivileged youth during the holiday season. Please contact Jane Dawson at Jane.Dawson@ocgov.com for more information.
• Military Children’s Charity, Inc. – The Military Children’s Charity distributes toys to American Servicemember’s children. Please contact Cherie Navarro at cnavarro@militarychildrenscharity.org for more information.
• Orangewood Children’s Foundation – The Orangewood Children’s Foundation distributes gifts to current foster youth, former foster youth, and low-income families throughout Orange County. Please contact Lupe Barerra at Lbarerra@orangewoodfoundation.org for more information.
• Providence Community Services – Providence Community Services distributes gifts to needy children who would otherwise go without during the holidays. Please contact Adrienne Davalos at adavalos@provcorp.com for more information.
• WISEPlace, Adopt-a-Resident – Please contact Cindy Ruiz at cruiz@wiseplace.org for more information.
• Corazon, 2010 Community Christmas Party – The community of Cumbres and Pedregal are hosting a community Christmas fiesta. Please contact Julissa Espinoza at office@corazon.org for more information.
• Orange County Rescue Mission – Various locations – click here to see a list of them. Click here to find out how to volunteer.
• Second Harvest Food Bank – Located in Irvine. Click here to find out how to help.
• Orange County Food Bank – Located in Garden Grove. Click here to find out how to help.
• Home Aid Orange County – Located in Irvine.  Check their website for a great list of organizations that serve the needy and the homeless.
• For other County services for the homeless, click here.