What’s New North County

2021 Bread of Life

Posted 3/14/21

 

Shower Ministry
 
 

Bread of Life, the North County branch of the San Diego Rescue Mission, offers a safe and nurturing environment for people desiring a better life. This program exists to address the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness to address the matters of the heart. In the summer of 2020, Bread of Life teamed up with the San Diego Rescue Mission to serve our city’s most vulnerable population. 
 
Bread of Life has started a new ministry where men and women can receive a shower and new clothing. Bread of Life is in need of supplies for the remote shower trailer and clothing for the patrons.
 


 
HELP US COLLECT THE FOLLOWING ITEMS! 

  
Men’s Clothing: underwear and shorts:  S, M, L, XL (need more L and XL)
Women’s Clothing: socks, bras, panties: S, M, L
Shower Amenities: soaps, shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant (travel size)

 


 
SHIP YOUR ITEMS DIRECTLY TO 
Bread of Life
1919 Apple Street, Suite O
Oceanside, CA 92054
  

ORDER ITEMS VIA AMAZON FROM THIS WISHLIST. Items can be shipped to address above.

  

MAKE A DONATION AND LET US DO THE SHOPPING FOR YOU
  

OR DELIVER YOUR ITEMS TO ANY DROP SITE BELOW BETWEEN NOW AND MARCH 28TH!  

email Passion2Serve@girlfriendscare.org for a list of drop sites.

2020 Jeans Drive

August 1, 2020

JEANS for KIDS
This month Girlfriends Care will be helping local kids by collecting and distributing new or gently used jeans.  You know; the outgrown ones in our closets which are still in great condition.  Some may look like they’ve never been worn!
When: Drop off locations available between August 1 and 31. Email info@girlfriendscare.org  for locations.
 
Sizes: All sizes needed to fit tots to teens
 
Condition: Jeans should be in very good/new condition
 

Jeans will be distributed to kids in local transition programs such as Solutions for Change, Operation Hope, and, inventory allowing, additional kids in need in North County through local agencies.   How you can get involved:

  • Have kids gather outgrown jeans from their own closets and set aside for donation those they would be proud to wear.
  • Ask friends and neighbors to participate.  Either casually, or at a simple event hosted by the kids such as an ice cream social.  Everyone brings jeans.
  • Support local businesses and consider donating a new pair or two.
  • Get your church, club, school or team involved!  And set up a convenient drop off location for the members.
  • Make a drop box and ask a local business to take donations.  Make sure you check the location regularly and empty the box as needed!

If you have a business in Oceanside, Vista or Carlsbad that would be willing to participate by accepting donations, please let us know.  Contact Girlfriends Care at info@girlfriendscare.org with details.   
 

This is a great no-cost way for your kids to help other local kids in need!

2020 Milestone

July 11, 2020

Girlfriends Support Milestone House

Milestone House is not only a refuge for troubled foster teens, but an entire program dedicated to help them believe in themselves again, and become contributing members of our community.

Join our Virtual July Girlfriends Care meeting HERE by viewing this personal message to our Girlfriends from Beverly – the  Director of Milestone House.

 

Want to Help?

If it is in your heart to contribute to the recovery of these girls – you may either

  • Go into their site MilestoneHouse.org  (letting them know you’re a Girlfriend) or
  • Drop off any of their needed items to the dropoff sites below:
Needs list :
Twin sheets
Twin comforters
Towels
Tupperware
Plastic kitchen ware

San Diego Food Bank Drive


For every $1
the San Diego Food Bank can provide
5 meals to families in need!

 
How far can you stretch a dollar these days? Could you make buy 5 meals for just $1? That is just what the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is doing!

For the month of June we encourage you to take a moment and watch this video from Alden Domini at Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank to learn what they are doing to help our community during this current crisis.

Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and their North County Food Bank chapter provide emergency food to vulnerable families affected by the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. These Food Banks comprise the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County and distribute food to those in need at 200 distribution sites across the county as well as through 500 nonprofits with feeding programs.

Want to Help?
No need to don a mask and head out to the stores, you can have fun shopping from the comfort of your home! Just follow this link and “purchase” food that will go directly to those in need. Not only can you be assured that you are getting the best price (the Food Bank is able to purchase food at very low cost), but Girlfriends Care will also match the first $1,500 donated

To learn more about how lives are being changed, watch this video.

We hope that you and your loved ones are staying well and safe.

Helping during COVID-19

As our community comes together during the COVID-19 outbreak, this is a time when our hearts go out to everyone in need.  Because our nonprofit partners serve those especially vulnerable during this crisis, and we have been asked what else we can do, you will find below options from some of our partners if you would like to help.  Most of the organizations offer the option to donate through their website also.
 
We at Girlfriends Care hope you and your loved ones are staying physically and mentally healthy during these unusual times. 

 

How You Can Help Our Partners
 


SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK: 


BROTHER BENNO’S
Supplies needed for bagged lunches (Dining Room is currently closed): 

  • Bread,
  • lunch meat
  • Individual (lunch sized) snack packages of: Chips, cookies, crackers, nuts, fruit snacks, fruit cups
  • Individual beverages:bottled water, sports drinks (Gatorade, etc.), fruit juice
  • Sandwich size baggies (Ziplock, etc.)

Donations are accepted at: The Brother Benno’s Center, 3260 Production Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92058 (760) 439-1244Questions? Contact Jan or Darryl at The Brother Benno’s Center.
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday – no donations on Thursdays please) 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Saturday)


SOLUTIONS FOR CHANGE: 

• Nonperishable food items
• Trash bags,
• Toilet paper & Paper towels
• Diapers
• Hand Sanitizer/Lysol/Bleach & Isopropyl Alcohol 70-90%
• Pure Aloe Vera• Hand soap• Gloves (M/L)• Hygiene Products 
 
Please drop off all donations off anytime at 722 W California Ave, Vista, CA 92083
Cash donations can be made online or mail a check to the address above.


OPERATION HOPE
General: 

  • Liquid Hand Soap, Dish Soap, Paper Towels,
  • Bottled Water,
  • Diapers (Size 5 & 6), Baby Wipes, 

For kids projects: 

  • Glue, Tape, Paper (Construction or plain white),
  • Puzzles, self-guided craft kits

They are also continuing their “paddle raise” from the Gala that was cancelled.  $50 supports a family, with services, housing, etc. for a day.  Website: www.operationhopeshelter.org
  
Please drop off all donations off at 859 E Vista Way, Vista, CA 92084 or 3982 Foothills Ave, Carlsbad, CA 920078.


BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF VISTA
The Boys & Girls Club has been closed except for lunch distribution and their current need is financial support.
 
Donate Online at https://www.bgcvista.org/about/support-boys-girls-club or donate by mail to: 410 W California Ave, Vista, CA 92083


FAMILY RECOVERY CENTER

  • Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Deodorant , Shampoo & conditioner
  • Clear water bottles 
  • Cotton fabric to make masks for the clients. Or if you know of anyone that can make masks for the clients that would be awesome! Other option are Scarfs to cover face. 

Contact for Delivery:
fquijano@mhsinc.org
760-439-6702 x 1230
760-579-3275 (cell)


ALABASTER JAR

  • Cleaning supplies, paper towels, toilet paper, toiletry items,
  • Games, craft-making supplies, puzzles, and art supplies

Donations can be dropped off at The Church at Rancho Bernardo. Please mark them for Alabaster Jar. 

Visit their new social enterprise, a venture to hopefully help employ the women they provide housing to. Check it out here


YMCA PROGRAMS– INCLUDING OZ and TAY:

  • Masks and gloves
  • Bottled Water, shelf-ready snacks
  • Monetary Donations 

Donations can be dropped off at:
1050 North Broadway
Escondido, CA 92025
Monday to Friday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

215 Barnes Street
Oceanside, CA 92054
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
 
For more information contact Charity Brant | cbrant@ymca.org 


MILESTONE HOUSE
Online donations would be most welcome to help offset the extra expenses of the shelter-in-place order
 
Donate online at: www.MilestoneHouse.org


JUST IN TIME FOR FOSTER YOUTH
Critical Needs: Gift cards for former foster youth to purchase essential needs such as groceries, sanitizers and paper products

  • Donate online at Just in Time for Foster Youth and select “General Operations”. In the “Comments” section, specify that you’d like your donation to go towards gift cards (you can list amount and which store and JIT staff will purchase the gift cards on your behalf) or leave the Comments section blank your donation will go towards their greatest need.
  • Visit Walmart Gift Cards to purchase a gift card and have it delivered to Just in Time. There is no delivery or service fee, so 100% of your purchase goes towards supporting youth participants!
  • You can also do the same with Amazon Gift Cards. Order online and have it delivered to JIT. There is no additional charge to purchase an Amazon Gift Card, but there IS an additional charge to purchase a NON-Amazon gift card (i.e Walmart/Target, etc) through Amazon.com.

 Please have gift cards mailed to (rather than dropping off): P.O Box 601627, San Diego, CA 92160.


MONARCH SCHOOL FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN

  • Toiletries,
  • Socks, sweatshirts, rain ponchos
  • Art supplies

Please donate online at www.monarchschools.org. Click on COVID-19 Wish List and order products shown through Amazon.


RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE – SAN DIEGO

  • Financial donations
  • Meals and commercially packed snacks for families
  • Support for their San Diego Raffle with a chance to win a prize!
  • Create an online fundraiser with friends and family

Donate Online: https://rmhcsd.org/ways-to-help-during-covid-19/ 

October Meeting

Posted 9/29/19

 

Join us at the San Diego Food Bank

This is your invitation to join us for a casual GFC Brunch meeting at the San Diego Food Bank!

Elisa Villarreal, Grants Manager at the San Diego Food Bank, will provide an overview of how this amazing organization is working to stop hunger in San Diego County.  She will also give us a tour of their impressive facility.  

Closed-toe shoes are required.

WHO: Girlfriends Care, Guys Care Too, Teens Care, and Guests
 
WHAT: Girlfriends Care Casual Brunch Meeting. Dress is Saturday Casual!
 
WHEN: Saturday, October 12, 2019, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
 
WHERE: San Diego Food Bank, 9850 Distribution Avenue, San Diego 92121 

Park in lot straight ahead as you arrive or directly in front of the warehouse.  Enter through the main entrance with the large logo overhead. 
 

HOW: RSVP NOW to RSVPNC@girlfriendscare.org AND let us know if you’d like to bring a brunch dish to share.   Be sure to bring a friend or two!

  
WANT TO HELP?    

For our mini-outreach, we’re collecting the following non-perishable foods:   

  • Peanut Butter (no sugar added), Powdered Milk (low or nonfat),
  • Canned Chicken, Tuna (in water) or Soup (low-sodium & low-fat),
  • Dry or Canned Beans (low-sodium), Brown or Wild Rice
  • Fruit (packed in water or light syrup), Cereals (low-sugar whole grain),
  • Canned Vegetables (low-sodium and no salt added)

 

Tax-deductible receipts available upon request!

Carlsbad Village Faire

Posted: 09/29/19

Carlsbad Street Faire

Sunday, November 3rd, 8AM – 4PM
 Village of Carlsbad In front of Linda’s Gifts
            300 Carlsbad Village Drive at Carlsbad Boulevard

 

Girlfriends Care will join hundreds of vendors at the largest single day street fair in the nation. Come share a couple hours of your time for Girlfriends Care while you’re there and help us spread the word about the needs in our community.
 

For more information, contact Carol at carol@girlfriendscare.org.

Carlsbad Cares & Shares 2019

Posted 09/24/19

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!  
You, your family and friends are invited to join us…

Carlsbad Cares & Shares

In support of Girlfriends Care and our partners,  Linda’s Gifts and
the Merchants of the Carlsbad Village Faire Shopping Center
have planned a fun afternoon of Giving, Live Music, Prize
Drawings, Shopping and maybe you’ll want to enjoy lunch too!
 
 Wednesday, October 2nd, 11:00AM – 3:00PM
 Village Faire Central Courtyard
            300 Carlsbad Village Drive at Carlsbad Boulevard

 

WANT TO HELP?  

 

GFC ambassadors are needed for 2 hours shifts on the day of the event to greet participants, share what Girlfriends Care does, and assist in the collection of donated items.  Sign up here.

 

Join us at the event and/or donate one of the following items below to help the hungry, the homeless and the hurting for the holidays!  Tax deductible receipts available upon request.

NEW Socks! (For LaPosada, Fill-a-Belly, Brother Benno’s, Bread of Life, etc. The homeless don’t have washing machines!) For ALL Ages

NEW Beanie Hats! For those in transition. For ALL Ages

NEW Wash Cloths (For those in transition homes and the homeless)

NEW Toys for the Holiday (For children living in transitional housing such as Solutions for Change, Women’s Resource Center, and Family Recover Center, etc.)

New Items for GFC Gift Bags (For women living in transition homes – 8oz lotions, body wash, journals, pens, costume jewelry, & “girlie” gift items)

Boxes of Individual Packages of Mac N Cheese & Oatmeal (for hungry, homeless teens)       

 

 

Please come to Care & Share with us!

2019 Annual Luncheon

Girlfriends Care Celebrates 14 Years!

Come celebrate with us, enjoy a wonderful lunch, talk to some of our Partner Non-Profit organizations, and hear stories about changed lives. 

WHO: Girlfriends Care, Guys Care Too, Teens Care, and Guests
 
WHAT: Girlfriends Care Annual Luncheon
 
WHEN: Saturday, Sept 14th, 2019 11:30am-1:30pm
 
WHERE: The Green Dragon Tavern and Museum,
6115 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92011
 
COST: $30 person
 
HOW: Use this MAGIC LINK for more details and to join the FUN!

August Meeting in North County

Posted 7/27/19

 

Boys and Girls Club of Vista


Join Girlfriends Care for a Casual Brunch and learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of Vista!  The Boys & Girls Club of Vista provides a safe place for kids to learn and grow while developing positive relationships with their peers and adult mentors through sports, fitness, academic enrichment and life skills classes.    There is no cost to attend and we’ll have you out in plenty of time to do your weekend errands!  

WHO: Girlfriends Care, Guys Care Too, Teens Care, and Guests
 
WHAT: Girlfriends Care Casual Brunch Meeting. Dress is Saturday Casual!
 
WHEN: Saturday, 8/10/19 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
 
WHERE: Boys & Girls Club of Vista located at: 410 W California Avenue, Vista Parking available in the front lot or on the street. (Meeting room is not handicapped accessible. Please make a note when you RSVP if you need assistance.)
 
WHY: To learn more about the programs benefiting the children served by the Boys & Girls Club of Vista.  Also enjoy a personal tour of the facility.
 
HOW: RSVP NOW to RSVPNC@girlfriendscare.org AND let us know if you’d like to bring a brunch dish to share. Be sure to bring a friend or two!

 WANT TO HELP?  

We’ll be collecting the following items for Boys and Girls Club of Vista this month to be used during their STEAM (Science, Technology, Art & Math) and Power Hour (homework) time:

Pencils
Colored Pencils
Scissors (kid size) 
Glue Sticks
White Glue
Watercolors
Watercolor paper
Tempera Paint 
Paint Brushes (art size)
Highlighters
Play Dough
Clay

Please bring donated items to the Aug 10th Girlfriends Care meeting at the Boys & Girls Club of Vista.  

Tax-deductible receipts available upon request!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more details, email us directly at info@girlfriendscare.org

Girlfriends Care, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Federal Tax ID# 26-2417011.