5 ways to help the Paso Robles community this holiday season

Posted: 1:08 pm, November 28, 2018 by Editor Skye Pratt

–’Tis the season for charitable giving, and the staff at the Paso Robles Daily News wants to make it easy to do. Whether it’s toys, food, time, or a monetary donation, there are numerous ways to lend a helping hand and bring holiday cheer to the disadvantaged in the North County:

Donate toys

The Paso Robles Toybank accepts donations of new, unwrapped toys and numerous local business are participating by providing drop off locations. The toybank will once again partner with Coats for Kids and the Salvation Army for the community Day of Giving celebration at the Paso Robles Events Center on Dec. 15. All donations for local families remain in the greater Paso Robles area. Approximately 1400-1600 children in Paso Robles, San Miguel, Bradley, Shandon and Heritage Ranch benefit from their program each year.

Toy donation box locations:

Boyd’s Gifts: 625 Spring Street
California Hwy Patrol: 101 Duncan Road, Templeton
Chamber of Commerce: 1225 Park Street
Coast Hills Credit Union: 1402 Spring Street
GBP&B Tax Service: 102 Vine Street
KPRL: 531 32nd Street
NCI: 496 Linne Road
Moose Lodge: 2548 Spring Street
Plymouth Congregational Church: 1301 Oak Street
PR Wine Country Alliance: 1446 Spring Street
REMAX Realty: 1213 Vine Street
St. Rose Church/School: 820 Creston Road
Trinity Lutheran Church/School: 940 Spring Street
Rabobank: 845 Spring Street
Vine Street Chiropractic: 1106 Vine Street
Walmart: 180 Niblick Road
Zurn-Wilkins: 1740 Commerce Way

You can also donate toys through KSBY’s Season of Hope program that partners with local fire stations. Drop off new, unwrapped toys to participating partner locations or your local fire station. Toys will be distributed to local children who may not otherwise receive a toy during the holiday season.

Donate coats

New and gently used coats, sweatshirts and sweaters for the Coats for Kids program my be dropped off at Plaza Cleaners in the Albertson’s Shopping Center and Paso Robles Cleaners on 13th Street. The coats will be distributed on the Day Of Giving Dec. 15.

Donate money

Sometimes donating money can go the furthest when it comes to lending a helping hand; Many nonprofits and charities can access cheaper food, and find other ways to stretch donation dollars. Why not make a donation in honor of a friend or family member this year as a gift idea?

Besides the charities already mentioned above, here are some additional local nonprofits that work directly with children or the underprivileged in our community:

Donate food

Help make sure that local families don’t go hungry. There are various ways and places to donate food. Here are a few:

Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County: Hope for the Holidays

Hope For The Holidays is a food and fund drive that starts Nov. 1, and runs through Dec. 15. This event offers a lot of ways to get involved and give back during the holiday season. One of these ways is to collect food: Organize a food drive within your neighborhood, place of business, etc and collect the most needed non-perishable food items. Or contact the food bank for more information about becoming a food drive volunteer.

Loaves and Fishes

Loaves & Fishes is a Christian ministry that provides food and other services to neighbors in need as well as to the homeless and transients. They also serve as a referral center, referring our guests to other appropriate agencies where they might receive the help they need.

Loaves & Fishes is currently only able to accept food donations which are commercially produced and sealed. They can also accept fresh produce from your garden!

Food donation drop off hours:
Loaves & Fishes – 2650 Spring Street, Paso Robles

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 9– 11 a.m.
Thursday: 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Please bring donations to the back entrance. Alley entrance is through 26th Street.

Season of Hope Program

The public can also donate food through KSBY’s Season of Hope program. Bring non-perishable food items to any local fire station or partner from Oct. 15 through Dec. 14. Partners will work with local food banks to distribute the food to local residents in need. Here are a few needed items:

Peanut Butter
Baked Beans
Oatmeal
Canned Fruits
Soups
Whole-Grain Crackers
Canned Vegetables
Diapers
Low-sugar/High-Fiber Cereals
Canned Stew and Chili
Coffee and Tea
All Pasta Types
Fruit Juice
Dried Fruits
Canned Tuna and Salmon
Rice and Beans
Dried Vegetables
Canned Chicken

(Click here for Season of Hope food donation drop off locations)

Donate time

Don’t have money to give or the ability to gift food or goods? Why not donate your time? All nonprofits listed above in this article are also in need of volunteers.

• Click here for other ways to volunteer in Paso Robles.

Editor’s note: The Best of Paso Robles is a special section of the Paso Robles Daily News. This article recommends the 5 ways to help the Paso Robles community this holiday season. If you would like to suggest a local business for consideration on the Best of Paso Robles series, click here to contact the Paso Robles Daily News, or call Access Publishing at (805) 226-9890.