California is one of America’s largest states and has some of the wealthiest cities in the country. However, some of the Golden State’s population is either homeless or underserved. There are several charities that help these people improve their housing conditions. However, a significant number of these charities in California rely solely on donations from well-meaning people to help the poor and needy through innovative programs.
Schools on Wheels
“School on Wheels is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving educational opportunities for homeless students from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Despite its small size, School on Wheels has been providing free programs for children and families since 2001 through strategic partnerships with several public schools and shelters, including emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing providers.
One of the charity’s projects is the Holiday Wish Drive, which aims to meet the special wishes of low-income children, families and seniors in the San Francisco Bay Area and neighboring cities. Back to School Drive provides young people with backpacks full of school supplies.
California Fire Protection District
Among all California charities, the California Fire Foundation is well known for offering emotional and financial support to the families of deceased firefighters, as well as to the firefighters and the communities they serve.
The California Fire Foundation, founded in 1987 by professional firefighters from California, engages in a variety of projects to help survivors and victims in addition to outreach to the community.
The foundation also provides emergency assistance to units and families of fallen firefighters, including educational assistance to children of fallen firefighters.
In addition, the foundation has created an emergency assistance program, SAVE, to provide immediate relief to victims of a fire or other natural disaster.
Feeding America
Feeding America is a popular name among California charities. The nonprofit organization, based in the United States, operates a network of more than 200 food banks across the state that feed millions of people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other community organizations.
According to Forbes, Feeding America is the second-largest charitable organization in the United States by income. Feeding America was formerly called Second Harvest America until August 31, 2008.
The nonprofit was founded by John Van Hengel in the mid-1960s, who, while recovering from a debilitating accident in Phoenix, Arizona, began working at a neighborhood soup kitchen.
The Oroville Center of Hope
Oroville Hope Center, a nonprofit Christian charity that serves Butte County and surrounding communities, provides emergency food and clothing, resources for families struggling with various forms of poverty, monthly food boxes and distribution every fourth Wednesday of the month.
Relying on donations and the goodwill of community members, Oroville Hope Center provides a wide range of services to low-income families and people in communities across the United States, including a food bank, clothing and counseling assistance, and educational programs.
A place called home
A place called Home provides a safe and nurturing environment in South Central Los Angeles, where low-income teens become the architects of their lives and are encouraged to serve their communities through education, arts and wellness programs.
The organization was founded in 1993, a year after the Los Angeles riots, at the height of a crime epidemic that made the streets of South Central unsafe for children of all ages. APCH’s goal was simple but not without its challenges: to create a safe haven for children affected by gangs in South Los Angeles, away from the life-threatening dangers and temptations of the streets.
Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization offering hands-on opportunities to support military, veterans and rescuers across America.
The U.S.-based nonprofit delivered its first four care packages to troops deployed to Iraq in March 2003. Since then, the foundation has effectively helped millions of Americans express their gratitude through hands-on involvement, lifting the spirits of millions of service members. troops, recruiting alumni, veterans, military families, rescuers.
Although we chose only a few, there are several other charities in California. Many of these organizations serve their local communities, while others help the poor and needy around the world.