April Showers gone (for now) - let's get busy!
Newsletter April 15, 2024
Hygiene Essentials Drive April 1 – 30, 2024 Robin Pisz, leader, with great assistance by Candace Guldeman
We’re half way through our Hygiene Essentials Drive! Only 15 days left till April 30! Please spread the word. Tell your friends, relatives and neighbors!
Hygiene poverty is a real thing! Poor hygiene and hand washing cause sickness and disease. Poor hygiene can also cause social rejection and may also lead to bullying, low confidence and low self-esteem. One in three families has difficulty affording personal hygiene products. Womenaders have been terrific supporters of this drive for the last six years. We are in our 7thyear of the hygiene essentials drive. Toiletries are one of the most requested items by low income people. People using Cal Fresh (California’s Food Stamps) cannot use it to purchase toiletries.
There are 3 opportunities for people to donate: 1) buy products 2) cash donation 3) Amazon Wish list.
1) Purchase Products and drop them off at one of the drop off locations in the list below.
2) Cash Donation and have a volunteer shop for you. Indicate on the check that it is for the Hygiene Drive and make checks payable to:
South SLO County Womenade at 1793 Farroll Rd., Grover Beach, CA 93433.
3) Amazon Wish List. For those who prefer to purchase online and have the products delivered to the collection point (Robin Pisz’s house), click on this Amazon link.
This link takes you directly to the Womenade Hygiene Essentials Drive April 2024 list. On checkout, you have the option to ship to your address or directly to Robin's house Either way is fine. Note Robin's address is hidden but be assured it will be delivered to Robin.
List of Hygiene Essentials:
Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Floss, Mouthwash
Shampoo and Conditioner
Soap - bar and liquid
Tampons and Pads
Diapers, Wipes and Rash Ointment
Baby Shampoo, Soft hair brush
Nail Clippers, Tweezers, Razors, Shaving Cream
Laundry Detergent
Sunscreen, Chapstick
Deodorant - adults and children
Toilet paper
Band aids, Neosporin, Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen
Hairbrushes, combs and hair ties
Towels - face, hand and body
Socks and undergarments
Drop Off Locations:
Sue McCutcheon - 2342 Willet Way, Arroyo Grande
Lola Zybura - 2367 Brant St, Arroyo Grande
Fit Forever Gym - 1080 Cypress Ridge Pkwy, Arroyo Grande
Carol Chenot – 2334 Brant St, Arroyo Grande
Jan Hensley Wollenmeir - 755 Avocet Way, Arroyo Grande
Andrea Chavez - 2295 Dunlin Way, Arroyo Grande
Trilogy
Judy Woo - 1402 Vista Tesoro Pl., Nipomo
Stacy Murphy - 1975 Northwood Road, Nipomo
BJ Bushur – 1410 Penelope Ct, Nipomo
Arroyo Grande
Lisa Murdoch - 117 Pearwood Avenue, Arroyo Grande
Nan Fowler – 630 Cerro Vista Circle, Arroyo Grande
Gerti Garner - 812 Broadmoor Dr., Arroyo Grande
Avila Beach
Elizabeth Sewell – Avila Bay Club, 6699 Bay Laurel Pl, Avila Beach
Grover Beach
Ann McDowell – 1793 Farroll Rd, Grover Beach
Blacklake
Linda Walker-Hill – 525 Byron Lane, Nipomo
Raffle
Our 4th Annual Raffle takes place from April 1 to April 21 at 2PM.
As the flyer says, all proceeds benefit South SLO County Womenade’s critical work supporting those in need in our community. Prizes include events, restaurant gift cards, kitchenware, art and books with the Grand Prize of a day in Santa Barbara, a meal at Olio Pizza and the Santa Barbara Zoo! 1 Raffle e-ticket = 1 donation of $20 to South SLO County Womenade. $100 = 5 Raffle e-tickets etc! Winners drawn and announced at the April 21st potluck at 1793 Farroll Rd., Grover Beach from 2 to 5PM. You do not need to be present to win but it’s so much more fun when the winners are present. You can donate as often as you like.
Next Potluck Sunday, April 21st 2PM to 5PM
Next Potluck – Sunday, April 21, 2024 2 to 5PM at Ann McDowell’s home at 1793 Farroll Rd., Grover Beach. We will be holding our 4th annual raffle at the potluck. Evites have been sent out. If you did not receive one but would like to come, email us at sslocwomenade@gmail.com. Spread the word, invite a friend, join the fun!
Help and Items Needed
Help needed (you asked for a list of where we need help):
Volunteer to lead a diaper drive
Substitute volunteers at monthly food distribution on the second Tuesday of each month at Nipomo Elementary School
Hosts for future potlucks in the latter half of the year
Leader for a second Laundry Pop-Up day
Items needed let us know if you have any items:
Toilet paper
Laundry Detergent
Diapers
All Agency Meeting
On April 11,at noon, we held our 4th annual all agency partners meeting at the park in Cypress Ridge. Eighteen advocates from 14 agencies attended. We reviewed our contract with each agency, our guidelines and changes in some of our guidelines. Each advocate brought their lunch, Womenade provided dessert. After our presentation the advocates spent time enjoying the beautiful weather and networking with each other.
Projects
Laundry Pop Up – Belinda Benassi - leader
At the Laundry Pop Up in Nipomo in March, the team paid for 48 loads of either washing or drying. The volunteers were very busy not only paying for laundry but providing information on where to get services.
Please consider joining us in the future to help pay for 3 loads of laundry! It’s a fun event and very rewarding. Each month we only need about 3 volunteers. Belinda Benassi leads this program and could use a few more volunteers. If we had a larger list each volunteer could do it once a quarter! Contact us at sslocwomenade@gmail.com and we’ll put you in touch with Belinda. The next one will be in Arroyo Grande Saturday April 20th from 10AM to 12PM. If you would like to volunteer please let us know. sslocwomenade@gmail.com
Nipomo Food Distribution – Rosemary Cleaves, Sue McCutcheon, and Mary Anne Morgan - project leaders
This is a picture of how we move cars through our distribution line. We work with the SLO FoodBank and Nipomo Elementary School to make the Food Distribution happen. The April food distribution was on Tuesday April 9 at the Nipomo Elementary School (always the second Tuesday of the month). We gave out food to 340 families, and we didn’t run out this month – Hooray! Thank you SLO Foodbank! Many of our regular volunteers were away, but a number of fabulous substitutes stepped up and helped make it happen. The next food distribution will be May 14, 2024 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. Let us know if you want to be on the substitute list.
AN UPDATE ON FUNDS RECEIVED
3/1/24 TO 3/31/24 $10,431.24
1/1/24 TO 3/31/24 $26,476.43
2/1/2019 TO 3/31/24 $524,966.79
Thank you to our March donors!
Linda and Bradley Wilbert, Rosemary Cleaves (2), Fran Norris (2), Shasta Brander, Gitta Westra, Carol Joyce, Michelle Meder, Sue Sacks, Liz Wilkes, Elise Carraway, Lola Zybura (2), Marcella Gelman (2), Karen Kolba, Sheila and Richard Semana, Linda Busek (2), Mary De Jong, Liz Fritz, Joann and Stan Benson, Olive and Mike Shu, Elaine Stewart, Cory Gonzalez, Wendy Castleman (2), Christine Mateer, Linda Burke, Phyllis Sims, Lenore Spelbring, Sandy Strohman, Lori Connolly, Anita Shower, Gwen Carton, Jayne Turner, Lynda Burnsed, Deb Sherry (2), Vicki Fesler, Mary Anne Morgan and Madeline Fay (2), Madeline Stevenson, Heidi Boatman, Ardie Heinrich, Lynn Heinrich (2), Kathie La Martina, Candace Guldeman, Susan McCutcheon (2), Karen Brown, Sandra Anderson, Karen Kolba, Andrea Chavez, Jann Jeffries, Barbara Crawford, Sheila and Richard Semana, Nan Fowler, Belinda Benassi, Vicky Sady, Gail Applegate, Marcy Warkentin, Kathleen Norris, Linda Walker-Hill, Jean Leavitt, Carol Chenot, Wanda Cook, Caity McCardell, BethAnne Dowlan, Sharon McDaniel, Dana Robertson, Anita Shower, Jessica Griffiths, Debra Johnson, Paypal Giving Fund, Kathy Forenza, Deborah Nesset, Robin Pisz, Marilyn Mullany
In Kind Receipt
Please complete and submit the in-kind receipt to help us track how much you all are also contributing in donor offered items: This is a jpeg that you can copy and print.
WHERE THE MONEY WENT
Casa Solana – Renée Poirier – Executive Director
Casa Solana was able to provide a gift bed to a woman in her 30's that had been staying at Prado Homeless shelter.She struggles with alcohol use and was not able to stay sober in that environment $800
Oceano Family Resource Center – Advocate Stella Medina
Single mother of 4 children with no child support. Had to pay for some extra expenses and now needs gas money to get to work until she gets paycheck.$100 Shell
Due to the recent rain the client has lost income. In need of food until she gets her food stamps next week. $100 Vons
Single parent on disability, fixed income due to scheduled c-section. Requesting support to reinstall services at home. $84.96 Spectrum
Single and disabled dad on a fixed income and not able to pay for his annual car insurance. He has an appeal/court date 5/8 to determine if he will get his disability payments. $258.88 Califronia Heritage (landlord)
Family of 6, parents both lost their jobs. Both parents are actively seeking employment, with no success yet. Family in need of rental assistance for April. $500 California West (landlord)
Extremely low income family struggling to make ends meet. Family cannot afford to buy a mouth guard for nighttime teeth grinding. Client had dental work done recently and mouth guard was recommended by dentist. $32.15 Amazon
Child trauma (abuse) CWS involved father had to leave the house. Single mother of three girls struggling to pay rent, food and basic needs. Mother needs support with April rent. $500 Goetz Manderley (landlord)
Arroyo Grande Family Resource Center – Cinthyia Ortiz-Corona
Family is experiencing financial stress. Mother needs assistance to pay her monthly rent. Mother worked less hours this month. $300 American Property Management (landlord)
Single parent working part-time due to child’s special needs. Recently received shut off notice for PG&E. $300 PG&E
Nutrition Team – Mary Anne Morgan leader
Food for families in need and for school children SLO FoodBank $253.00
5 Cities Homeless Coalition – Janna Nichols Executive Director
Client was suffering from mental health issues and lost her job. She was connected to behavioral health services and found full-time employment; however she let her car insurance lapse and requested assistance with the payment so she could safely get to and from work. $94.32 AAA – Car Insurance
Youth client recently moved out of Cabins for Change program into his own apartment. He secured full-time employment, but does not have a vehicle. Due to bus schedule not running when he gets off work, client requested assistance with bike, helmet, lights and lock to get to and from work. $156.82 Walmart – Bike, Helmet, Lock, Lights
Senior client living on a fixed income had been homeless for several years, recently moved into her own apartment in a senior housing complex. She lost her phone and requested assistance with a replacement so she can keep in touch with family, maintain appointments, connect with case manager, etc. $53.63 TruConnect – Phone
Client is moving into Cabins for Change program, however, she cannot park her vehicle on site until she has proof of current registration. Client was fleeing domestic violence situation and left her previous job out of concern for her safety. She is requesting help with paying for the registration while she works with Eckerd Workforce Development on securing new full time employment. $344 Castro's DMV Service - Vehicle Registration
The Link – Advocate Yuliana Molina - Mesa Middle School and Judkins Middle School – Paulding Middle School – new advocate starting soon
Low income family of 6. Dad is the only working adult. He is a farm worker. Currently his hours have dramatically reduced because of the rainy season. Mom requested support for gas and food.$100 gift card $100 gift card
Single mom of 4, homeless, family stays at a shelter in Santa Maria. Momdrives her kids to school in Nipomo and to Mesa. Mom requested support with gas. $50 gas card
Single mom of 3. Low-income. She works in housekeeping. Hours have been reduced because of the off season.She requested support with food. $50 food card
Lopez High School – Jennifer Bowen- Principal; Aurora Munoz – Admin
Wolfmarket supplies, Takis, gatorade, cheetos, cup of noodles, for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, support students' behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health. $112.98 Groceries
Lopez High School – Wolf Den Heidi Boatman and Jann Jeffries
Shoes for female student whose shoes totally fell apart. $53.34 Vans
Jeans, size 32x36, for a male student who was wearing his Dad's jeans as his wore out. We bought 2 pr. So he can wash 1 & still have 1 $79.71 Farm Supply
2 pr. Jeans, size 32x34, to restock the Den $58.24 Walmart
Mission Hope – Katie Crafton – Oncology Social Worker, Brianda Lemus
Woman in 40’s with two types of cancer struggling to make it to appointments.$25 Gas
Families in Transition – Wendy Bruse Coordinator of After School Programs, Deicy Trejo
Unaccompanied youth living in his car. Parents moved out of state and left student to graduate in June. Needed support with food. $50 Food card
Unaccompanied youth is living with his older sister, sister did not have a spare bed and is barely making it financially. Student is staying on the floor but very uncomfortable, would like support with an air mattress or small mattress. $150 Walmart card
Referred a single mom and her student to the auto mechanic teacher at AGHS. Car has the engine light on and the parent needs to get the car smogged and get the new tags. FIT will pay for the car parts and no labor will be charged to install the parts. $64.67 Car parts
Single mother staying in a hotel, student had a recent growth spurt and needs clothes that fit him comfortably. $100 Old Navy
Family of 8 in need of support of the senior student. Student will be the first in her family to graduate. Family struggling financially due to the rains cutting their work hours repeatedly. $82.59 Cap & Gown Unit + SCT Bus pass
Student in need of support with gap/gown unit. Student does not want to ask his parents, their hours at work have been decreased due to the weather, and mother has not been doing well. $45.59 Cap and Gown Unit
Student has worked hard this year to bring up his grades and attend school. He would like to graduate with his class but family is not financially stable to give him support with graduation items. $45.59 Cap and Gown Unit
Unaccompanied youth couch surfing with her boyfriend's family. She does not work enough hours to support her senior activities and would like support with a yearbook. $75.49 Yearbook
Pregnancy and Parenting Support – Cami Statler Executive director
Purchased a stroller for 1-year-old baby of South County family currently experiencing homelessness to help as they seek stable employment.$68.15 Direct purchase
Paid for follow-up appointment for above client with psychiatrist for treatment and medication. $165 direct pay to provider
First 5 Oceano Early Learning Center
Family in Oceano ELC in need of groceries $199.46 Groceries
HOW TO DONATE:
To make a donation write a check to South SLO County Womenade and mail to:
Our bank asked that checks be made out with the full legal name on the account.
South SLO County Womenade, 1793 Farroll Rd., Grover Beach, CA 93433. 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.
or go to our website sslocw.org
Our email is: sslocwomenade@gmail.com
Our website is: sslocw.org
Our EIN# 27-0809744
Phone number: (805) 270-5751