Give once or monthly
Recurring gifts are what let us commit to a program year. Every dollar is tracked to a program line in the annual report, and there is no third-party fundraiser taking a cut.
Get involved
Three hours on a Saturday changes the week.
No minimum commitment for distribution shifts. Mentoring and driving ask for a little consistency, because that's what makes them work for the person on the other side.
Ways to help
Pick the one that fits your week.
Volunteer a Saturday
The three-hour Saturday distribution shift is the easiest way to start. Show up once, decide later whether it becomes a habit.
Mentor a student
Two afternoons a month with the same student, after a background check and a short orientation. The waitlist for mentors is the shortest bottleneck we have.
Drive a neighbor
Volunteer drivers take seniors to appointments in Hollister, Gilroy, and Salinas. Mileage is reimbursed and rides are scheduled around you.
Donate food or goods
Fresh produce from growers, shelf-stable staples, and new household basics. The current needs list is kept short and honest so nothing goes to waste.
Sponsor as a business
Local businesses underwrite a distribution month, a workshop series, or the summer youth session, with recognition on the site and at the site.
Giving
What a gift actually buys.
Illustrative amounts for a sample organization — every level is tracked to a program line in the annual report.
Monthly giving
$25 / monthRecurring gifts are what let us commit to a full program year instead of guessing in September whether the youth session can run.
- Roughly two weeks of groceries for one household
- Cancel or change any time, no phone tree
- Receipt emailed immediately for each gift
- Tracked to a named program line in the annual report
Business sponsorship
From $1,000Local businesses underwrite a distribution month, a workshop series, or the summer youth session.
- Named recognition on the site and at the site
- Photos and real numbers back to your team
- Volunteer day organized for your staff
- Listed in the published annual report
Calendar
When to show up.
Saturday food distribution
The core of the week. Volunteers arrive at 7am to sort; families arrive from 8am. Rain or shine, no paperwork.
Volunteer orientation
One hour covering safety, confidentiality, and the shifts that need people. Required once before mentoring or driving.
Back-to-school backpack drive
Backpacks and supplies collected at partner businesses downtown and handed out the week before school starts.
Harvest community dinner
The one fundraiser we run all year — a long-table dinner with food donated by county farms and restaurants.
Holiday food box packing
Three evenings of packing boxes for families and homebound seniors. The most popular volunteer shift of the year.
Annual community meeting
Open to anyone. Financials, program numbers, and what we got wrong last year, presented in person and posted afterward.
Volunteer & donor FAQ
Background checks, minimum ages, needs lists, and receipts.
How can I start volunteering in Hollister or San Juan Bautista?
Fill out our online contact form or attend an orientation on the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm. For the Saturday distribution near Highway 25, no orientation is needed—just show up at 7am to help us sort.
What is the time commitment for volunteering in the Hollister area?
There is no minimum for distribution shifts near Highway 25. However, mentors for local students are asked to commit to 2 afternoons a month for a full school year to ensure consistent support.
Do volunteers need a background check?
Anyone working directly with youth or driving seniors completes a background check, paid for by the organization. Food distribution volunteers do not.
Are there volunteer opportunities for San Benito High School students?
Yes, ages 14 and up can assist with our distribution shifts with a signed parental consent form. We document all community service hours to help students meet their graduation or club requirements.
What types of donations are currently needed for your local programs?
Monetary gifts are best as they allow us to buy exactly what is missing. We also accept rice, beans, fresh produce, canned protein, diapers, and new hygiene items for families in the Highway 156 corridor.
Is my donation tax deductible?
In this sample scenario yes, and a receipt is emailed immediately with the illustrative EIN on it. Consult your tax advisor about your own situation.
Can businesses in Tres Pinos or San Juan Bautista sponsor your work?
Certainly. Local businesses can underwrite a specific distribution month or our summer session. Sponsors are featured on our site, at our facility, and in our San Benito County annual report.
Orientation first Wednesday, 6pm
Start with one Saturday.
Show up at 7am to sort, or send a message and the volunteer coordinator will find the shift that fits your schedule.