Girlfriends Care Winter Drive
Posted 11/13/23
Socks, Gloves, Hats, Oh My!
The weather outside is frightful…the start to a beloved holiday song or of a wet and miserable day when can’t stay warm and dry. Help us keep those vulnerable to the weather, the homeless and the elder, a bit warmer this year by donating new socks (either athletic or slipper), gloves, and hats.
You can order here and have them shipped to Girlfriends Care, donate online and let us do the shopping for you, or contact us to get a list of drop off locations.
2023 Holiday Needs – Brother Bennos
Updated 11/1/23
Kid’s Christmas Party
- Monetary donations can be made here on their website or mailed to Br. Bennos at P.O. Box 308, Oceanside, CA 92049
All donations are needed by December 8th.
Looking for other ways to help during the holiday season? Keep a look out for future emails with more opportunities!
2023 Holiday Needs – Solutions for Change
Updated 11/1/23
Operation Jingle Bells
For the 6th year in a row, a team of girlfriends will be making Christmas a memorable season for the newest families at Solutions for Change by secretly decorating their living quarters while they are away as part of Solutions for Change’s yearly Operation Jingle Bells event (previously known as Breaking and Entering). As in previous years, we hope to provide families with new items such as: blankets, pillows, sheets, towels, gingerbread houses, decorations to “DECK THE HALLS” inside and out and of course gifts from Santa for parents & children.
WHAT TO HELP?
- Our greatest need is monetary donations as soon as possible so our team can shop for all the specific items that are needed. Click here to donate to this event.
- There will be limited 2 hour shifts available if you want to help with the event on December 6th.
October Spotlight – Operation Hope
Posted 10/2/23
Located in Vista, Operation Hope North County is a 45 bed shelter that provides a safe, caring, and supportive environment for families with children and single women experiencing homelessness to rebuild their lives and reclaim independence. At Operation Hope residents regain emotional stability, learn the skills for financial well-being, create healthy relationships and establish housing stability.
In October we have several opportunities scheduled to support Operation Hope and make your “something” count!
| October 1 – 25 |
Rice and Beans Drive for the “Pantry of Hope” which provides residents, program graduates, and community members with food and diapers. 1-2 lb. bags are best. Beans can be dry or canned. Prefer easy ordering with drop ship from Amazon? Click here. |
| October 14 | Want to connect with our group, or learn more about Girlfriends Care? Join us for an informal meet up at Sleeping Tiger Coffee in Carlsbad Village at 10am. This is a no-host event. Order your favorite coffee and join us, we’ll try to find tables in the side room. No RSVP required. |
| October 17 | Tour Operation Hope and learn about volunteer needs including their new Pantry of Hope and (Free) Clothing Boutique. 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Limit 10. RSVP here. |
| October 23 | Serve dinner to Operation Hope residents 5:00-6:30. Meals must be prepared in a commercial kitchen. Girlfriends Care is hosting the meal. Donations welcome. Limit 10. Teens are welcome. RSVP here. |
| October 31 | Participate in Operation Hope’s Trunk or Treat Event. Have some fun! Dress up, decorate your car if you want and bring treats for the kids. Girlfriends who participated last year loved the event, and suggested volunteers also set up a game for the kids. RSVP your car at jvenegas@operationhopeshelter.org. |
Tax-deductible receipts available upon request
Email passion2serve@girlfriendscare.org for a list of drop off locations.
Fill-A-Belly Hands-On Family Project
at Fill-A-Belly
Everyone wants to feel known and cared for, not invisible or worthless. Fill-A-Belly started with the simple belief that we can all make a difference in our community.
Every week, Fill-A-Belly sees people from a wide range of backgrounds come together as a community. Their goal is to break down the “buffet line barrier” that often exists between volunteers and guests. They do this by inviting our volunteers to interact with the emphasis on building relationships with our guests.
Come share a meal with guests from the community who need a hot meal and/or some companionship. You can sign up to bring part of the meal when you follow the RSVP link below.
This is a great opportunity for the whole family; supervised children are welcome.
| WHO: | Girlfriends Care, Guys Care Too, Teens Care, KidzCare, and Guests |
| WHAT: | Join us for a potluck style “dinner with friends” at Holiday Park in Carlsbad. |
| WHEN: | Tuesday August 8, 2023, 6:15pm |
| WHERE: | Holiday Park 1055 Chestnut Ave., Carlsbad |
| HOW: | RSVP NOW at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084fafac23a0fec52-filabelly#/ |
Water Bottle Drive
Posted 6/5/2023
Help us collect
Reusable Water Bottles
for the coming school year.
The beginning of a school year comes with a long list of items that parents need to provide for their kids which can be a burden on an already stretched budget. Among those items are reusable water bottles to ensure kids are drinking enough water at school. Got Your Back San Diego helps families in need by providing water bottles along side their backpack food program. We have the opportunity to help kids in San Diego by ensuring each one has a water bottle for the new school year.
GYBSD is a weekend food assistance program developed specifically for children attending San Diego County schools who have been identified as homeless and/or food insecure. Every week they deliver backpacks full of food to local Tri-City schools. Each backpack contains 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, and a few healthy snacks, enough food to sustain a child throughout the weekend.
WATER BOTTLE SPECIFICATIONS
Neutral colors (no pinks/pastels)
12-16 oz size (better for small hands)
No straws
Flip-top preferred
SHIP YOUR ITEMS DIRECTLY TO
Got Your Back San Diego
3820 Oceanic Dr, Suite 313
Oceanside, CA 92056
Partner Fair
COME JOIN US
GIRLFRIENDS CARE
OUTDOOR PARTNER FAIR!!
Come meet key nonprofit partners and hear about their organizations
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE – PLEASE CONFIRM YOU’LL JOIN US
| WHO: | Girlfriends Care, Grandmas Care, Guys Care, Teens Care, and Guests |
| WHAT: | Girlfriends Care Nonprofit Partner Fair. Dress is Saturday Casual! |
| WHEN: | Saturday, May 20th 10:00 am – Noon |
| WHERE: | Outside at the Aqua Hediona Lagoon in Carlsbad |
| WHY: | This is a great opportunity to meet many of our non-profit partners and discover what pulls at your heart strings. Bring a friend and introduce them to the many ways they can make their something count. We will provide refreshments. |
| HOW: | RSVP NOW to RSVPNC@girlfriendscare.org. Be sure to bring a friend or two! |
Baseball Caps, Sunglasses, & Sunscreen
Posted 4/11/2023
Getting Ready for Summer
Spring has finally arrived, and it won’t be long until summer weather is upon us. Let’s help our local community stay protected in the beautiful California weather.
We will be collecting baseball caps, sunglasses, and sunscreen to be distributed to our partners like Br. Bennos, Fill-a-Belly, La Posada, and Operation Hope.
Contact passion2serve@girlfriendscare.org for drop off locations.
2023 Hand-On Project at SD Food Bank
at the North County San Diego Food Bank
Closed-toe shoes are required.
| WHO: | Girlfriends Care, Guys Care Too, Teens Care, and Guests (at least 16 years old) |
| WHAT: | Hands-on project such as cleaning/sorting fruit, boxing and labeling food donations, or assembling food packages for various programs that benefit seniors and children. Dress is Saturday Casual; closed-toe shoes required! |
| WHEN: | Saturday, March 11, 2023, 9 AM – 12:00 Noon |
| WHERE: | North County Food Bank, 3030 Enterprise Court, Suite A, Vista CA 92081 |
| HOW: | RSVP NOW to RSVPNC@girlfriendscare.org and let us know how many people will be joining you. |
- You must RSVP no later than March 3, 2023.
- You must complete online registration no later than March 4, 2023; Girlfriends Care will provide registration information once you RSVP.
- Space is limited so sign up right away.
$10 donation provides 20 meals
$25 donation provides 50 meals
$50 donation provides 100 meals
$100 donation provides 200 meals
2022 Holiday Needs – Br. Bennos
Posted 11/18/22
Kid’s Christmas Party
Brother Bennos is hosting a holiday party for 450 kids this year on December 18th at Brother Benno’s Thrift Shop.
WHAT TO HELP?
- Come help prepare for the party the week before the event.
- Volunteer to do simple face painting & make balloon animals, previous experience needed.
- Donate the following items:
- New Pajamas- to include larger sizes for teens
- New Stuffed Animals
- $25 Walmart Gift Cards
- Monetary donations can be made here on their website or mailed to Br. Bennos at P.O. Box 308, Oceanside, CA 92049
All donations are needed by December 10th.
For details or questions email Helen at: helenparsons75@outlook.com. Donations can be dropped off at the Thrift Store clearly marked ”Kids Party”. If you need a closer drop off location, please contact us at passion2serve@girlfriendscare.org.
