Bursting with News Updates! July - 2025
- Rosemary Cleaves
- Jul 29
- 10 min read
Donation from St. Barnabas Church Thrift Shop
We were one of the 12 monthly recipients of a donation from the St. Barnabas Church Thrift Shop. They donated an amazing $3,000 from the proceeds of their sales. The Thrift Shop is a ministry of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church (301 Trinity Avenue, Arroyo Grande) and is located at 1328 Grand Avenue, Suite F, Grover Beach. They are celebrating their 51st Anniversary this year. Their mission is:
1) Do God’s work in the community
2) Offer useable donated items at affordable prices
3) Support local community outreach programs
4) Contribute to the support of Church ministries. ENGAGE WITH “NEEDY”.
We are very grateful for their work in the community and for their outreach through us to the community.
Next Potluck
August 8, 2025
Karen Kolba is hosting the next potluck fund raiser at the Toucan Terrace Club House at 955 Terry Drive, Pismo Beach CA. 93449 on August 8, 2025 at 6PM. Come one come all! Spread the word.
Projects Update
2025 School Supplies Drive – We Missed the Bus
We are 11 days into our “We Missed the Bus” Teachers’ School Supplies Drive. Thank you to all the wonderful donors who have dropped off and /or ordered and sent school supplies to our drop off sites. What a beautiful sight to see! We still have 3 weeks left to help our hard working teachers to help make a difference in their classrooms for our students.
Lisa Arakaki, the project leader has created an Amazon Wish list.
Teachers often dig deep into their own pockets $500 to over $2,000 to make their classroom experiences meaningful for their students. Not every school has PTAs that can help defray the cost of a lot of these items. You can make the difference!
This 2025 School Supplies Drive Amazon Wish List shows general categories of Lucia Mar teachers' most requested items. Donors don't need to limit their purchases to those exact items on the list unless otherwise noted (e.g., Scotch brand laminating pouches and Paper Mate flair tip pens). We would especially appreciate donations of the first 3 highest-need items (unscented baby wipes, Clorox wipes, and Scotch laminating pouches). We will reserve half of all donated items and deliver them in January 2026, to sustain teachers for the rest of the school year. Thank you for supporting Lucia Mar teachers!
Questions: email Lisa Arakaki at weloveeducators@gmail.com
These are the final 13 general categories of requested items on the Amazon Wish List: *first 3 starred items are highest need*
Baby wipes, unscented*
Clorox wipes*
Scotch laminating pouches*
Fine point dry erase markers
Paper Mate flair felt tip pens
Sharpies, both fine tip and large tip for posters
Sticky notes (e.g., Post-it)
Painters tape
Masking tape
Glue sticks
Heavy duty magnets for whiteboard
Magnet clips for whiteboard
Adhesive labels (2x4" and other sizes)
Laundry Pop-Up
The Laundry Pop-Ups have become quite the sensation! Both locations have seen a dramatic increase with 65 loads paid for in Nipomo on July 5th and 86 loads paid for at Laundromat 119 S. 13th St., in Grover Beach on July 19th
Terri Zielinski reports that although it started a little slowly in Nipomo, it got real busy with a few regulars and some new clients. They even had a client help translate to the Spanish speakers. A disabled man's brother brought him in to do his laundry. After they explained what they do, the brother went outside and made a couple of phone calls. Another brother showed up with his laundry, mom's laundry, and a friend. The friend rushed home for another load. Terri, Beth and Marci Warkentin were the volunteers
Belinda Benassi reports that a woman expressed gratitude for our presence and financial assistance with her laundry. She shared she was struggling financially due to her son's medical bills. She shared he was diagnosed with cancer. Belinda Benassi, Sheila & Richard Semana, Gay Groomes, & Mary Ann Hjalmarson were the volunteers. .
The next Laundry Pop-Ups are:
Saturday August 2nd in Nipomo at Launderia Laundre Mat, 505 Orchard Rd, Nipomo from 9:00 to 11:00AM
Saturday August 16th at Wahsboard Laundromat, 111 S. Halcyon St. Arroyo Grande Hours: 10 am - 12pm.
Both Laundry Pop-Ups need volunteers to sign up to help.
Here is the Sign Up Genius. It’s been updated for the remainder of 2025! Won’t you help?!
Nipomo Food Distribution – Rosemary Cleaves, Sue McCutcheon, and Mary Anne Morgan - project leaders
The July Food distribution was on Tuesday July 8th. We were very surprised that our numbers rebounded from the previous month, although most of our farm workers did not come. We had over 350 families come through to get food.
We work with the SLO FoodBank and Nipomo Elementary School to make the Food Distribution happen. Thank you SLO Foodbank and all our fabulous volunteers! Let us know if you want to be on the substitute list. The next distribution will be on Tuesday, August 12th from 4:30 to 6:30 PM.
Help and Items Needed
A twin bed for a client of the Department of Social Services Adult Protective Services
A project leader for the Toiletries Drive next April – Training and assistance available
Volunteers for the Laundry Pop UP Sign up here: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0B44AEA82DAAF9C52-50105745-2024
Toilet paper
Diapers
Pack n Plays
Child safety items – drawer and cabinet locks and gates
Laundry detergent
Update on Funds Received
6/1/25 TO 6/30/25 $7,292.89
1/1/25 TO 6/30/25 $63,390.89
2/1/2019 TO 6/30/25 $716,185.39
Thanks to Donors
Ashley Hahn, Linda and Bradley Wilbert, Sandy Richardson, Rosemary Cleaves (2), Sheila and Richard Semana, Olive and Mike Shu, Marilyn Mullany, Mary De Jong (2), Fran Norris, Wendy Castleman, Elaine Stewart, Cory Gonzalez, Joann and Stan Benson, Lola Zybura, Ann Mathias, Kathie La Martina, Jean Leavitt, Paul Holden, Lori Connolly, Nan Fowler, Linda Busek, Kathy Howell, Susan McCutcheon (2), Steve Curry (2), Marcy Warkentin, Sandy Strohman, Gay Evison Groomes, Katherine Ayer, Phyllis Sims, Gail Applegate, Mary Anne Morgan and Madeline Fay, Linda Fibich, Carol Chenot, Dana Robertson, Piper Adelman, Anita Shower, Jessica Griffiths, Debra Jackson, Andrea Chavez, Donna MacCarley, Lisa Fraser
Where the Money Went
Casa Solana – Renée Poirier – Executive Director
Casa Solana was able to help two women, both of whom are fighting to get reunited with their children, who are currently in foster care.Both ladies were able to pay half of their rent, and with the help of Womenade we were able to help get the other half covered. $800
Nipomo Family Resource Center – Advocate Mary Mullany (supervisor)
Food for clients $52.50 SLO Foodbank
Oceano Family Resource Center – Advocate Stella Medina
Family of 5 recently moved from Hanford after falling victim of a crime. Their van is unsafe to drive.Parents need support to fix the van so that they can transport children safely to appointments. $300 Tom’s Auto Service
Single father with two daughters, lost wages due to being hospitalized for two weeks. In need of rental assistance to prevent possible eviction.$400 Abel Rios (landlord)
Arroyo Grande Family Resource Center – Cinthyia Ortiz-Corona
Single dad living on one income, needs help repairing car windshield in order to drive children safely to medical and mental health appointments. $296.46Safelite
Single mother on fixed SSDI, requested support with DMV Registration fees to keep vehicle mobile for employment & school transportation. $306 DMV
Multi-generational home struggling with household expenses. 2 of 3 working adults lost employment. Seeking support with service bill.$221.89 City of Grover Beach
5 Cities Homeless Coalition – Janna Nichols Executive Director
Client is currently experiencing homelessness and has been saving up to purchase a used vehicle so he can pick up additional shifts at work without public transportation being a barrier. Client was able to find a reasonable used car and paid the registration, but requested help with the deposit and first month's payment towards his car insurance. 5CHC was able to use Womenade funds to help with this request $199 Car Insurance (Infinity Insurance Company)
Client recently released from incarceration and experiencing homelessness has secured work as an IHSS caregiver. Client requested help with the cost of her LiveScan to complete the hiring process and begin employment. $72 Live Scan (UPS)
Client is currently experiencing homelessness and recently moved into 5CHC's Balay Ko on Barca Shelter. Her vehicle is in need of significant repairs, however she is currently on a limited, fixed income and this unexpected expense would use all of her income for the month. Client requested assistance with a portion of the repairs so she can stick to her budget for the month. 5CHC was able to use Womenade funds to assist and her Case Manager will continue to assist her with budgeting and financial literacy while she is staying at the shelter. $300 Car Repair (JC Automotive)
Lopez High School – Keith Gledhill- Principal; Aurora Munoz – Admin
End of year Field Trip Scholarships to Six Flags $100
Lopez High School Wolf Den – Heidi Boatman
Students requested laundry detergent.Purchased 5 bottles of detergent $70.95
Pregnancy and Parenting Support – Cami Statler Executive director
Teen mother attending Lopez High School does not have access to transportation and requested support. We purchased a stroller travel system for her newborn so she can attend school. $135.92 Walmart
Mission Hope – Katie Crafton – Oncology Social Worker
Woman in 70’s newly diagnosed with late stage ovarian cancer. Having a hard time paying rent/utilities. $200
The Link – Advocates – Mesa Middle and Judkins Middle -Yuliana Molina; Christi Molina - Paulding Middle
Parent is requesting financial support for applying for a passport for herself and her special needs child. She has an appointment scheduled at her local library for 6/28/25. They explained to the parent, payment option is they only accept payment on the actual day of their appointment. One check should be made to the department of the state for the passports which would be a total of $275 for two passports. And another check for $70 made to the county of SLO public libraries.$345 Passport
Department of Social Services – Theresa Johnson – Division Manager
PT came into the office to request a gas voucher, stated that the Salvation Army sent him, needs a gas card due to his car breaking down and having to replace his lithium battery, left his phone on top of his car and it fell off and was run over, he couldn't use his cash app to receive money from family, needs to get to Santa Cruz in order to get help financially from his family because he has no money. $50 Chevron
PT needed help with gas to get to an appointmentt with SSA and Social Services in the SLO area, doesn't not have income. Working on receiving income. $25 Chevron
PT has an appointment in SLO and unable to navigate the bus being new to the area and having a broken leg.Does not have the funds to add gas to his vehicle to get to his appt. $50 Chevron
C.A.R.E.4Paws – Libby Williams-Cabral – area administrator
Riot is a kitty who had a severe eye infection and time was of the essence to get him further care. The family lives in Oceano and is on a fixed income. Riot's mom had already taken him to the vet a few times last month and when he became worse, she was not able to afford the continued vet care. Here is a message from Isla (Riot's mom)...""$125 VCA South County
An Arroyo Grande resident needed financial help getting her 4yr old dog, Zoé, to the vet. Zoé had a very painful ear infection and was very distressed/yelping/wouldn't eat. With Womenade funding, we were able to help this family in need with a portion of their bill. $95 VCA on Grand in AG
People’s Self Help Housing – Caity McCardell - Director of Resource Development
Client is a wife and a mother to 3 kids. Her father recently lost his battle to cancer and now her mother has suffered a stroke. She has been helping the family as much as she can and has redirected some of her funds to help. She is requesting $500 to be able to feed her family as well as being able to help with her parent’s expenses. $500 Walmart
Client is disabled mother and wife to a hard working man. They recently welcomed a newborn boy to their family. Unfortunate, their CalFresh benefits were interrupted at the same time. Client does not have enough income to pay for everything until they adjust to the new family member and the new spending amounts.SW will refer client to new born community resource organizations and help her resolve the EBT issue. For now the client is asking for $469 for assistance for all essential items for her new born. $469 Walmart
Laundry Pop Up
Laundry Pop Up in Nipomo did 64 loads of laundry. Volunteers: Beth, Terri and Lane. The July 5thmorning started a bit slowly, and we assumed it was because the day before was a holiday. It was probably a good thing that it was a little slow; 14 of the 30 washing machines were out of order. And one broke down while we were there. There was a bit of a rush around 10 a.m., and every working machine was in use. A group of four young men came in and had to wait for machines to become available. But they were so happy that their laundry was going to be taken care of and that they did not mind the wait. $192.50
The Laundry Pop Up in Grover Beach on July 19th did 86 loads of laundry. Volunteers: Belinda, Sheila & Richard , Gay, & Mary Ann. Mary Ann spoke to a woman who expressed gratitude for our presence and financial assistance with her laundry. She shared she was struggling financially due to her son's medical bills. She shared he was diagnosed with cancer.$262.00
Hearst Cancer Research Center – Julie Neiggemann and Ashley Hahn
Homeless patient with stage IV cancer needed diagnostic work done on his vehicle. $154.50 Morin Brothers
Family Care Network – Lupita Ducharme
Foster youth successfully secured employment and required assistance with appropriate work attire to begin their new position. $70.21
Foster youth moved into independent living and is actively seeking employment. She was able to purchase her own phone but needs assistance with activating and first month's payment to help her stay connected with her treatment team and potential employers. $120.29
Funding request for swim lessons. This activity approved by Client's Therapist /Team aligns with client's treatment goals to support sensory needs. Parent single with financial hardship requesting assistance to support her child. $255.60
Summer day camp or a child as part of treatment goals to address social anxiety and skill building in a structured social environment. Parent has finance limitations which restricted ability to cover camp fees. $129.03
Funds supported a meal and beverages for ILP Celebration event recognizing Independent Living Youth in their academic achievements. These children have no family to celebrate academic achievements. Serving approximately 20 clients in Arroyo Grande and Five Cities area. $400
How to Donate
To make a donation write a check to South SLO County Womenade and mail to:
South SLO County Womenade, 1793 Farroll Rd., Grover Beach, CA 93433.
Our bank asked that checks be made out with the full legal name on the account.
We encourage you to become one of our monthly or regular donors. This can be easily done through your bank or charitable foundation. Please remember that if your company has a matching grants program to include us. As you make or update your wills, please consider adding a legacy gift to us for our future sustainability.
Paypal: paypal.me/sslocwomenade
Venmo: sslocwomenade
Email: sslocwomenade@gmail.com
EIN# 27-0809744
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