Volunteers help people load bags of goods at a large donation site that has sprung up outside the Rose Bowl.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Where you can volunteer this weekend to help those affected by L.A.’s fires
The Los Angeles County firestorm has caused devastation to communities in and around the Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, Sylmar and Hollywood. Those looking for a way to help will find an abundance of organizations and services in need of volunteers or resources.
Although situations and needs may change rapidly, the havoc caused by the blazes — more than 28,000 acres have been scorched and at least 2,000 homes, businesses and other buildings have been lost — requires immediate and long-term relief. The Times has compiled a list here of state, regional and local grassroots organizations in need of funds or supplies.
Here you will find an ongoing list of ways to assist via volunteering. This story will be updated as more organizations post their needs for support.
Note that due to the outpouring of support, not every group will still be in need of volunteers. One is advised to call or email the organization before showing up.
Showing Places
Pasadena Humane Society
Pasadena Pet Adoption Center
What you’ll do: Foster a displaced pet.
When: Although the Pasadena Human Society is most urgently in need of donations — those interested can give here — the organization, at the time of writing, is also seeking those who may be able to foster a dog or cat for at least one week. Interested parties should email [email protected].
Where: 361 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena
Details: @pasadenahumaneon Instagram
When: Although the Pasadena Human Society is most urgently in need of donations — those interested can give here — the organization, at the time of writing, is also seeking those who may be able to foster a dog or cat for at least one week. Interested parties should email [email protected].
Where: 361 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena
Details: @pasadenahumaneon Instagram
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It's Bigger Than Us
Leimert Park Volunteer
What you’ll do: Transport resources, pack and distribute supplies. To volunteer, simply go to its headquarters in Leimert Park.
When: 1 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10. The organization posts information regarding volunteering daily.
Where: 4308 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008
Details: @itsbiggerthanus_ on Instagram
When: 1 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10. The organization posts information regarding volunteering daily.
Where: 4308 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008
Details: @itsbiggerthanus_ on Instagram
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Pasadena City College
Pasadena Volunteer
What you’ll do: Help receive items, sort and distribute goods. They are also accepting bottled water donations.
When: Friday, Jan. 10 and Saturday, Jan. 11, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Pasadena City College, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
Details: @pcclancer on Instagram
When: Friday, Jan. 10 and Saturday, Jan. 11, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Pasadena City College, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
Details: @pcclancer on Instagram
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Pasadena Community Job Center
Pasadena Volunteer
What you’ll do: Help receive items, sort and distribute goods. They are also accepting donations — current needs include clothes (such as brand-new underwear), Ziploc bags to sort donations, feminine products, Tylenol, Advil, cough syrup (including for kids) and Pepto-Bismol.
When: Starting Friday at 4 p.m. Call the center to find out specific needs at (626) 440-0112.
Where: Pasadena Community Job Center, 500 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena
Details: @pasadenajobcenter on Instagram
When: Starting Friday at 4 p.m. Call the center to find out specific needs at (626) 440-0112.
Where: Pasadena Community Job Center, 500 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena
Details: @pasadenajobcenter on Instagram
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Eagle Rock High School
Eagle Rock Volunteer
What you’ll do: Organize donations. They are also accepting donations — current needs are dog food, toiletries, women’s clothing, school supplies and backpacks.
When: Friday, 3:30-6 p.m.
Where: Eagle Rock High School, 1750 Yosemite Drive, Los Angeles
Details: @goldscienceleader on Instagram
When: Friday, 3:30-6 p.m.
Where: Eagle Rock High School, 1750 Yosemite Drive, Los Angeles
Details: @goldscienceleader on Instagram
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L.A. Dream Center
Echo Park Volunteer
What you’ll do: Pass out donations, direct traffic, sort clothes, prep meals. They are also accepting donations.
When: Saturday and Sunday, 8:50 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: Dream Center Foundation, 2301 Bellevue Ave., Los Angeles
Details: @ladreamcenter on Instagram, email [email protected] to sign up (you must sign a waiver before your shift).
When: Saturday and Sunday, 8:50 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: Dream Center Foundation, 2301 Bellevue Ave., Los Angeles
Details: @ladreamcenter on Instagram, email [email protected] to sign up (you must sign a waiver before your shift).
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No Res Gourmet
Azusa Volunteer
What you’ll do: Cook, package and distribute meals. Donations and supplies are also needed. See a list of items here.
When: Friday through Sunday, starting at 8 a.m. and scheduled to run until around 8 p.m. Monitor their Instagram for updates.
Where: Halfsies Snack Shack, 600 E. 5th St., Azusa
Details: @noresgourmet on Instagram
When: Friday through Sunday, starting at 8 a.m. and scheduled to run until around 8 p.m. Monitor their Instagram for updates.
Where: Halfsies Snack Shack, 600 E. 5th St., Azusa
Details: @noresgourmet on Instagram
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Union Rescue Mission
Downtown L.A. Volunteer
What you’ll do: Help in kitchen. Volunteers must be age 14 and up.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Union Rescue Mission, 545 San Pedro St., Los Angeles
Details: Sign up via the Union Rescue Mission volunteer portal
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Union Rescue Mission, 545 San Pedro St., Los Angeles
Details: Sign up via the Union Rescue Mission volunteer portal
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Hand Brewed Beer
Chatsworth Volunteer
What you’ll do: Help sort or drive donated items. The brewery is working as a donation dropoff point and looking for household supplies, personal care items, clothing and an assortment of other goods, such as toys, blankets and more. Throughout the weekend, Hand Brewed will be in need of sorters or drivers who can deliver the supplies to the necessary orginzations.
When: During the brewery’s open hours Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Hand Brewed Beer, 9771 Variel Ave., Los Angeles
Details: @handbrewedbeer on Instagram
When: During the brewery’s open hours Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Hand Brewed Beer, 9771 Variel Ave., Los Angeles
Details: @handbrewedbeer on Instagram
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Bricks and Wood
Mid-City Volunteer
What you’ll do: The South-Central-born streetwear brand is seeking help with organizing donations at their Space(s) store.
When: Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 4571 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles
Details: @bricksandwood on Instagram
When: Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 4571 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles
Details: @bricksandwood on Instagram
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Collins & Katz Family YMCA
Sawtelle Volunteer
What you’ll do: Sort and organize donations (clothing, bedding, etc.) and put together care packages with hygiene products. The center is also looking for drivers to deliver resources to Pacific Palisades residents.
When: Until 9 p.m. Friday. The center will also be accepting volunteers Saturday through Monday at select hours. If you want to volunteer, call the branch at (310) 477-1511 to check if and what time they need help. All volunteers will be required to sign a liability form. The center is also accepting donations for nonperishable food, water, tote bags and hygiene products.
Where: 1466 S. Westgate Ave., Los Angeles
Details: ymcala.org/locations/collins-katz-family-ymca
When: Until 9 p.m. Friday. The center will also be accepting volunteers Saturday through Monday at select hours. If you want to volunteer, call the branch at (310) 477-1511 to check if and what time they need help. All volunteers will be required to sign a liability form. The center is also accepting donations for nonperishable food, water, tote bags and hygiene products.
Where: 1466 S. Westgate Ave., Los Angeles
Details: ymcala.org/locations/collins-katz-family-ymca
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Quirk
Downtown L.A. Volunteer
What you’ll do: Quirk is hosting a donation-based free clothing boutique, which they hope to fill with functional apparel that people will want to wear long term. Volunteers will organize and sort donated items. The store is also requesting for helpers to bring racks and hangers to display the clothing. Owner Melynda Choothesa is particularly seeking volunteers who work in the fashion industry or have experience working with thrifted and vintage clothing to assist with making the clothes look presentable. “They’ve already been through enough,” says Choothesa, adding that she wants the boutique to feel and look beautiful. “They don’t need to feel like they are some charity case.”
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until further notice.
Where: 112 W. 9th St. #200, Los Angeles, CA 90015
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until further notice.
Where: 112 W. 9th St. #200, Los Angeles, CA 90015
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Best Friends Animal Society
Sawtelle Animal Shelter
What you’ll do: Volunteer to foster an animal for whatever length of time works best for you
When: Ongoing
Where: At your home
Details: Best Friends provides the resources you’ll need to care for a foster pet. To get started, you’ll need to fill out an application online, complete a 15- to 20-minute orientation, create a volunteer profile and sign a few forms. For more information call Best Friends L.A. or email [email protected]
When: Ongoing
Where: At your home
Details: Best Friends provides the resources you’ll need to care for a foster pet. To get started, you’ll need to fill out an application online, complete a 15- to 20-minute orientation, create a volunteer profile and sign a few forms. For more information call Best Friends L.A. or email [email protected]
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Neighbors and Friends
Pasadena Volunteer
What you’ll do: Old Town Pasadena’s café and cheese shop has become a donation center and dropoff point as well as communal hub for those in need of a space to spend time. The location is seeking volunteers for a number of roles — but primarily to organize clothes and help wash dishes. Updates and needs are being posted on a Google spreadsheet.
When: Slots are available during the café’s morning and afternoon open hours, and are currently slated to run through Jan. 18.
Where: 88 E. Union St., Pasadena
Details: @weareneighborsandfriends on Instagram
When: Slots are available during the café’s morning and afternoon open hours, and are currently slated to run through Jan. 18.
Where: 88 E. Union St., Pasadena
Details: @weareneighborsandfriends on Instagram
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Hollywood Food Coalition
Hollywood Volunteer
What you’ll do: Prepare and serve meals to people experiencing homelessness or receive and distribute food to nonprofits affected by fires.
When: The dinner program takes place every day. Volunteers for receiving and distributing food to be distributed to other organizations are needed on weekdays.
Where: 5939 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles
Details: Volunteers must sign up online at this link: https://hofoco.org/volunteering-about/. The Hollywood Food Coalition cannot accept volunteers who have not signed up online.
When: The dinner program takes place every day. Volunteers for receiving and distributing food to be distributed to other organizations are needed on weekdays.
Where: 5939 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles
Details: Volunteers must sign up online at this link: https://hofoco.org/volunteering-about/. The Hollywood Food Coalition cannot accept volunteers who have not signed up online.
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Flintridge Center
Pasadena Community Center
What you’ll do: Sort and pass out donations. Donations needed include water, diapers, baby bottles, packaged snacks, masks, hygiene kits, blankets and pillows only.
When: Daily from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: 236 W. Mountain St., Pasadena
Details: For more information, contact Brandon Lamar at (626) 314-4256 or [email protected]
When: Daily from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: 236 W. Mountain St., Pasadena
Details: For more information, contact Brandon Lamar at (626) 314-4256 or [email protected]
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Skid Row For the People LA
Downtown L.A. Community Center
What you’ll do: Give out essentials including food, water, clothing, hygiene products and more.
When: Fridays from 5:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Where: 1017 E. 7th St., Los Angeles
Details: Call Evie at (214) 784-9547 for more information
When: Fridays from 5:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Where: 1017 E. 7th St., Los Angeles
Details: Call Evie at (214) 784-9547 for more information
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+COOP
Fairfax Volunteer
What you’ll do: Sort clothing and supplies, and make dropoffs.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday
Where: +COOP, 7282 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles
Details: jennacooperla.com/pages/coop-loves-la
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday
Where: +COOP, 7282 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles
Details: jennacooperla.com/pages/coop-loves-la
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