In times of crisis, the urge to help those affected by disasters is immediate and powerful. We at Totally Local VC’s Local Love Project disaster relief team have seen firsthand how our community comes together with incredible generosity and compassion.
We want to share the lessons we’ve learned from being on the front lines of disaster relief to help you make the biggest impact possible with your giving. This guide will provide practical tips to ensure your donations reach those who need them most, whether it’s immediate relief or long-term recovery.
Understanding the Power of Strategic Giving
When disaster strikes, every donation has the potential to make a difference. However, not all forms of assistance are equally effective. By making informed decisions about your contributions, you can maximize their impact and support both urgent needs and long-term rebuilding efforts.
We’ve learned that taking a breath and making thoughtful choices about how to help can make your generosity go so much further.
The Most Effective Ways to Donate
Note: When donating funds or gift cards, make sure it goes to a reputable, registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that has experience in disaster assistance and recovery.
Financial Gifts Make the Biggest Impact
We get it – when you see the heartbreaking images from disaster zones, your first instinct is to send supplies to keep people clean, warm, and fed. But trust us on this one – monetary donations are truly the most powerful way to help right now. Here’s why from our experience:
- It allows relief organizations to purchase exactly what’s needed in the moment
- It supports our local economy when supplies are bought nearby
- It eliminates sorting, storage, and transportation costs
- It provides the flexibility to address both immediate and long-term needs
We’re fortunate to work hand-in-hand with some amazing community partners, and we’ve seen firsthand the incredible work they do. All of these organizations welcome your financial support.
- The Local Love Project (that’s us!)
- Catholic Charities
- The Salvation Army
- Humane Society of Ventura County
- Ventura County Community Foundation
Drop-off Gift Cards Are a Practical Alternative
Drop-off gift card donations are an effective way to provide immediate assistance. A drop-off gift card donation is simply a store gift card – either newly purchased or with a remaining balance – that you can leave at designated collection sites. Organizations can then use these gift cards to purchase needed supplies or distribute them directly to people they serve. When donating, please verify the card’s balance and include that information with your donation.
Local Love Project Gift Card Donation Drop Off Locations
VENTURA
Rincon Brewery
| 4100 Telegraph Rd |
| Ventura, CA 93003 |
Peirano’s Market & Deli
| 204 East Main St |
| Ventura, CA 93001 |
Ventura Rental
| 1601 Callens Rd |
| Ventura, CA 93001 |
LIV Sotheby’s International Realty
| 554 E Main St |
| Ventura, CA 93001 |
CAMARILLO
Institution Ale Company
| 3841 Mission Oaks Blvd |
| Camarillo, CA 93012 |
CARPENTERIA
Rincon Brewery
| 5065 Carpinteria Ave |
| Carpinteria, CA 93013 |
FILLMORE
Red Engine Brewing Company
| 803 Ventura Street (Hwy126) |
| Fillmore, CA 93015 |
OJAI
Pixie’s General Store
| 203 N Signal St |
| Ojai, CA 93023 |
SANTA BARBARA
Naughty Pine Brewing Company
| 766 Lakefield Dr, Ste A |
| Westlake Village, CA 91361 |
WESTLAKE
Naughty Pine Brewing Company
| 766 Lakefield Dr, Ste A |
| Westlake Village, CA 91361 |
Have you been affected by the Mountain Fire?
We're here to help our community recover
Get Help Now!
Mountain Fire survivors: We’re here to help you through this difficult time. Tell us what you need – whether it’s food, supplies, or support. Click below to fill out our simple needs assessment form. Your road to recovery begins here.
Volunteer Now!
Our Ventura County neighbors need your hands and heart in this critical time. Join our volunteer team delivering essential supplies and comfort to Mountain Fire survivors. Together, we can make a difference.
Donate Now!
So many of our neighbors in Ventura County have lost everything to the Mountain Fire. Your donation today provides emergency food, supplies, and hope to those left with nothing. Help us help them rebuild their lives.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Donating Physical Items
Victims of disasters need things. Just remember that things pile up and they need to be sorted, stored and distributed by volunteers. For these reasons, it’s best to provide monetary gifts to relief agencies (even if you can only provide small gifts). See the Financial Contribution discussion above.
During a disaster and through the recovery process, the need for specific donations is ever changing. We suggest checking the websites and social media pages of organizations you support. They will post what items they need.
DO Donate Requested Goods to Qualified Locations
If you have new or used items to donate, please bring them to the qualified locations listed below. These agencies provide vouchers to local relief organizations, who then distribute them to those affected by a Ventura County disaster. This voucher system is the most effective way to ensure the donated goods reach those in need.
- Salvation Army
- Goodwill
- Avenue Thrift Store in Ventura
DO NOT Donate Unsolicited Goods
We know your heart is in the right place, but sending unexpected supplies can actually create more problems than solutions. Unexpected donations can overwhelm our volunteers, take up limited storage space, and even divert resources away from urgent needs.
So please, only donate items that relief organizations have specifically requested. They know best what’s needed in the moment.
Other Meaningful Ways to Help
Blood Donation
Blood supplies often run critically low after disasters strike. If you’re able, please schedule an appointment to donate through:
- Vitalant
- American Red Cross
During a disaster and through the recovery process, the need for specific donations is ever changing. We suggest checking the websites and social media pages of organizations you support. They will post what items they need.
Volunteer at a Shelter
Want to lend a hand in person? Shelters need your help! Just make sure to connect through these established organizations who can match your skills with current needs.
- American Red Cross
- The Salvation Army
Help with Food Distribution
- Food Share
- Catholic Charities
- Ventura Agency on Aging
- The Salvation Army of Ventura
Unsolicited Volunteer Help Not Needed—Thank You
DO NOT be part of the problem! It is not a good idea to go into a disaster area on your own and attempt to provide aid. You run the risk of becoming a victim yourself and causing harm to emergency personnel.
It is the job of volunteer coordinators from disaster relief organizations to identify volunteer needs and to allocate them in the best way possible to the overall disaster operation.
After the Cameras Leave, the Long Road to Recovery Begins
Here’s something we’ve learned over the years – recovery from disasters is a marathon, not a sprint. Long after the media moves on, our community still needs support. This is where your continued generosity makes the biggest difference. Recovery from disaster can take years and those affected need your support every step of the recovery process.
How You Can Keep Making an Impact
Headlines fade, but our commitment to recovery never wavers. By making regular donations to relief organizations, you become part of a lasting solution. Your consistent support – whether monthly or quarterly – gives us the flexibility to help families rebuild their lives while staying prepared for future emergencies.
Make disaster relief part of your regular giving and help write the untold stories of recovery that matter most to our community. Every donation, no matter the size, keeps us ready to respond when our neighbors need us most.
Donate Now!
Support Local Love Project’s disaster relief efforts.
Your support means everything to us and to the survivors of the Mountain Fire. By choosing to donate, you will help the Local Love Project continue its vital work in our community, providing immediate relief to those affected and offering preparedness education and resources to families in need. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have been impacted. Thank you for standing with us in this critical time!
Chose Donation Amount
Photos by: Cecilia Ortiz
