This holiday season is filled with magical moments and time to be thankful for all we have. But for some, the holiday season is hard, stressful and a reminder of what is not available.
Many families are looking for ways to support our community and meet the needs of people who are our neighbors and friends. Ventura County Mom Collective is honored to bring you this guide to help you find ways to connect with local community organizations that are meeting the needs of those who need it. This guide can also help you find ways to volunteer and get involved or find support if you find yourself in need.
Simply click each location to learn more.
Volunteer, Support Local Needs or Find a Food Bank in Ventura County
James Storehouse
CURRENT NEEDS:
Gift cards for teens for Christmas to places like Chevron or any place to get gas. This helps our youth to be able to meet up with their mentors once a week. We also are in great need of $25 gift cards for the youth to Starbucks, Taco Bell, Target, Amazon, or Visa gift cards. Besides gift cards, we are really in need of a bed in a bag sets from Amazon, twin size. For little kids and for teens who are coming into foster care.
View their Amazon Wish List Here
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
Volunteer for the holiday toy store: https://jamesstorehouse.rockcloud.com/registration/holidayvol
Contribute to the “Amazon – Wipe the Waitlist Fund”
Contact to find out more volunteer opportunities HERE.
Ronald McDonald Family Room Ventura County
CURRENT NEEDS:
Amazon Wish List consists of many items we use around the family room, as well as some big items we need for storage!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
Interest in volunteering at the Ventura Ronald McDonald Family Room in the Ventura County Medical Center? Find out more HERE.
Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank
CURRENT NEEDS:
To donate food, please drop it off at 95 N. Oakview Drive at the following times:
Monday-Friday 8am-4pm
Saturday 9am-1pm
FOOD PANTRY:
Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank provides free groceries to our neighbors at the following times:
Tuesday 9:30am-2:30pm
Thursday 9:30am-3:30pm
Saturday 9:30am-12:30pm
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
Interest in volunteering? Find out more HERE.
Shelter Care Resources
CURRENT NEEDS:
Newborn diapers. We always need help with our food pantry, computer lab, tutoring, organizing our clothing and hygiene resource center, and various community events. Please call us at 805-612-7091 to learn more about volunteer opportunities as well as donation drop-offs.
FOOD PANTRY:
FREE fresh produce and more while supplies last. Every Friday from 5:15 – 6:30 pm at 1925 Eastman, Ave., Oxnard.
PLEASE BRING ID or PANTRY ID CARD
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
Interest in volunteering? Find out more HERE.
Shelter Care Resources has partnered with Kiwanis to giveaway 150 stockings to children in need, and they have an Amazon wish list for the stocking stuffers. Contribute items for the stocking with their Amazon Wish List Here.
Kids & Families Together
CURRENT NEEDS:
Support for family meals for Thanksgiving. We need grocery store gift cards, increments of $25-$50 so families can purchase what they need for a lovely Thanksgiving meal to share together. We need teen items, gift cards, toys, cozy throws/blankets, and pajama pants/socks (nonholiday), etc. for our Cozy Holiday Gift~Away 2023.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
Interest in volunteering? Find out more HERE.
- Thankful for You Gift~Away – November 16th 2-5pm organizing our donations and pre set-up and the day of our event Nov 17th time slots 3-5:15pm and/or 5-7:30pm (serving dinner for this shift). SIGN UP HERE.
- Cozy Holiday Gift~Away – sort/organize donations and for the day of our event. Individuals and families can sign-up to volunteer. Children under 16 need to come with an adult. SIGN UP HERE.
Adopt-a-Family
Community Action of Ventura County
FOOD PANTRY:
Every Thursday morning, we host our weekly Community Market on our Oxnard campus. This drive-through distributes fresh produce, canned goods, and other groceries at no cost to participants who have demonstrated need.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
Interest in volunteering? Volunteers help coordinate the drive-through line, pack boxes of groceries, and more. Contact Russell Wilson, Food Program Manager, at 805-816-5832 or email [email protected]
Food Share Ventura County
FOOD PANTRY:
Use the food share map to find free food near you. Find more information and locations HERE.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
Volunteer opportunities for individuals (12 yrs & older only) and groups (min. 6, max 15 people) are available Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, with some evening and weekend shifts also available. Shift times and locations vary depending on the opportunity.
Learn more about volunteering HERE.
The Samaritan Center Simi Valley
FOOD PANTRY:
Pantry clients can receive our pantry service Tuesday OR Thursday from 10:00am-10:30am.Pantry clients must stay in their vehicle at all times while in line waiting for pantry items and while receiving pantry items.
Find more information HERE.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
You can help out with grocery pickups, pantry organization, food pantry distribution, breakfast service, dinner donations, clothes organization, and more. Opportunities to help out are available Monday-Thursday, and some weekends.
Learn more about volunteering HERE.
