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It's Go Go Go along with Food Food Food!


Holiday Potluck


Oh What a Night!  The Potluck at Candace and Phil Guldeman’s was a roaring success! The potluck had the highest attendance and the highest donations ever for our home-based potlucks! There were 60 plus people and we raised almost $5,000! 

 

The decorations were out of this world with loud OOOS and AHHHHS heard throughout the house as we discovered all the beautiful, unique and stunning decorations. 



Winter Break Food Baskets


In early November we decided to cancel the Winter Break Food Baskets as it was so close to the Thanksgiving Food Basket drive and many of our donors were reaching burn out.  In late November the board decided to hold a smaller ‘Board Sponsored” Winter Break Food Basket project with funds we received over the season earmarked for food.  Many thanks to all the donors who earmarked funds for food! Food4Less in Arroyo Grande said “YES” to doing the ‘shopping” for us. Taco Works donated 120 bags of taco chip. Three truck driving volunteers picked up food from Food4Less and Taco Works and all helped set up, unload, sort, pack and deliver the food for 50 families who were selected by Families in Transition and South County Youth Coalition as ones where the children would not have food over the winter school break.  


One of Dawn Addis’s staff members created this video of the event.


Teachers’ School Supplies - Take 2

Do you remember? Back in August we held the Teachers’ School Supplies Drive. At the time we collected a lot of school supplies for teachers in a few of our most underserved schools in Lucia Mar.  The principals and teachers were thrilled! They commented that by the time second semester comes along, it’s a shame that everyone has forgotten about the need for school supplies.  We thought – wouldn’t it be great to be able to give them a second infusion of supplies at the start of the second semester, and that’s what we’re doing.  We saved half of the largesse of the community, and we are ready to give away Teachers’ School Supplies for the second semester! Thank you all who made this happen in the fall and now, especially project leader Lisa Arakaki and to Susan for storing all those supplies over the last 5 months!


Next Potluck

Our next potluck will be hosted by Lynn in Arroyo Grande at 4PM on February 4th, 2026!  Mark your calendars!  Note that it is earlier in the day.


Projects Update

 

Laundry Pop-Up

Our two Laundry Pop-Ups were very busy in December. With many clients needing assistance  all machines were going.  After paying for the washers for a couple of men, they asked where to get change for the dryers. Upon telling them we would take care of that too, they said “I thought you ladies were just being nice.  I didn't know you were part of a program."  Nipomo did 103 loads Volunteers were Terri, Beth and  Donna McCarley

The story was similar in Arroyo Grande. There were familiar faces there as well. We encountered a couple who were profoundly impacted by SSCW's laundry pop-up project and our offer to pay for their laundry expenses. They had recently relocated to the area for a job offer, but unfortunately, it was rescinded. Now unemployed and struggling to make ends meet, they expressed gratitude for our offer to pay for their laundry. The couple became emotional as the male partner shared that he found hope in SSCW volunteers’ offer to pay for their laundry expenses, as he was doubting the existence of kindness and humanity in his life.  Arroyo Grande did 54 loads. Volunteers were Belinda Benassi, Gay Groomes, & Kathy Howell.


Next Laundry Pop-Ups:

January 3, 2026 Launderia Laundre Mat 505 Orchard St. Nipomo

January 17, 2026 Laundroma. 119 S. 13th St. Grover Beach




Nipomo Food Distribution

Rosemary Cleaves, Sue McCutcheon, and Mary Anne Morgan - project leaders

The December distribution was on Tuesday December 9th on a warm sunny afternoon. Our amazing Season of Hope Womenader, Lisa Murdock, has picked up food since the middle of October. The food donations she brought to the food distribution were huge.  We also purchased food from the SLO Foodbank, and the volunteers were extremely busy the whole 2 hours not only handing out the food but packing all the extra food to give out. We gave out food to 425 families and so many people expressed how grateful they were and commented on the difference in the weather from the previous month when it was raining.

 

We work with the SLO FoodBank, the Lucia Mar school district and our volunteers to make the Food Distribution happen. Let us know if you want to be on the substitute list. The next distribution will be on Tuesday, January 13thfrom 4:30 to 6:30 PM at Nipomo Elementary School.


Help and Items Needed

Update on Funds Received

11/1/25 TO 11/30/25           $18,425.98

1/1/25 TO 11/30/25             $111,723.39

2/1/2019 TO 11/30/25         $760,836.27


Thanks to November Donors

Barbara Deel, Carol Chenot, Cory Gonzalez (2), Deb Sherry, Dee Croft, Diana Henderson, Elaine Stewart (2), Fran Norris, Fred & Rochelle Friedman, Fred Donati, Gail Applegate (2), Gwen Carton, Jane Arnold, Jean Graham, Jean Leavitt, Jenny Weaver, JFMaddox Foundation, Joann and Stan Benson(3), Karen Kolba, Karlie Cool, Kathi Pettersen, Kathleen Secrest, Leslie Conrad, Linda Fibich, Lola Zybura, Lorraine Weitz, Lynn Edwards, Marilyn Mullany, Marjorie Rust, Mary Anne Morgan and Madeline Fay, Mary De Jong, Olive and Mike Shu(2), Patti Finucane, Phyllis Sims, Rosemary Cleaves, Sheila and Richard Semana, Susan McCutcheon, Wendy Castleman (2)


Where the Money Went  

Casa Solana – Renée Poirier – Executive Director

  • Casa Solana was able to provide a gift bed for a third month to a woman in her 50s. By providing a safe, sober place for her, she has been able to focus on her medical needs and recently underwent reconstructive surgery. She is doing amazingly in the program and should be graduating the next couple of weeks and will be moving to the graduate house. $800


Nipomo Family Resource Center – Advocate Yuliana Molina

  • Weekly Food Bags $35.79 SLO Foodbank

  • Single mother of 4 who left an abusive relationship. She is working hard to get on her feet and needs a helping hand. She is going through the court to establish a child support amount. The process takes a little time, and she needs financial support to pay a portion of her car payment. If she loses the car, she will have no way to get to work, kids to school, and to the doctor's office. $300 Chrysler Capital

 

Oceano Family Resource Center – Advocate Stella Medina

  • Family of 4 (soon to be 5) Mother on maternity leave, applied for State Disability but has not received any benefits yet. In need of food. $100 Grocery Outlet

  • Family of 6 experiencing loss of income in November due to weather conditions and child's mental health appointments. $100 Grocery Outlet

  • Family of 3 Mother on 24-hour oxygen and father is on dialysis 3x a week. He loses income every week. In great need of food. $100 Grocery Outlet

  • Father has a work-related injury that required back surgery. Although he was receiving workers’ comp, that benefit stopped without notice. Father has an appt to meet with his WC representative to figure out why he is no longer getting paid. Need assistance with car registration $247 DMV


Arroyo Grande Family Resource Center – Cinthyia Ortiz-Corona

  • Single mother struggling to find stable employment despite multiple interviews. Is currently short on rent for this month, she has used all her savings and needs some help until she can find a job. $300 California Property Services

  • Single father recently survived massive heart attack. He is waiting for disability to process so that he has an income again. Requested support with gas to get to Dr.appts. $50 Shell

  • Single father recently injured at work, currently waiting on workers comp claim. He requested support with gas to get children to/from school. $50 Shell

  • Family is limited on funds due to time off without pay, short on Oct rent by $250 Courtland St. Apartments

  • 2 sets of mothers who are working limited seasonal employment, requested support with passport expenses. All parents are able to show up and complete the process. $200 Us Department of State

  • Single mother recently relocated into low income housing with PSHH, she needed support with deposit fees. $500 Lachen Tara Apartments


Nutrition Team – Mary Anne Morgan leader

  • Food for the Lopez High School Food Pantry $430.50  SLO Foodbank


5 Cities Homeless Coalition – Janna Nichols Executive Director

  • Client has been living a 5CHC's shelter program and recently secured housing. He has no personal belongings and requested assistance with some minimal household items for his new home. $412.50 Household supplies

  • Single woman recently moved into 5CHC's shelter program and is in the process of applying for SSI. She requested assistance with purchasing some items such as file folders, notepads, and a calendar so she can organize her SSI paperwork and keep track of her appointments. $21.23 File folders, notepad, calendar

  • Single male connected with 5CHC Outreach team has no current means of transportation and walks everywhere. During their last meeting, his case manager noticed there were holes beginning to form in the soles of his shoes and she requested funds to help buy him a new pair of orthopedic shoes.  $31.52 Shoes

  • Client currently living at 5CHC shelter has been hired for a new position and employer requires a background screening. Client requested assistance with the cost of the background screening so she can start her new job. $76.50 Live Scan

  • Outreach client is currently living in his vehicle and has not had valid insurance for nearly a year. His case manager is assisting him with getting his car registered and up to date insurance. Another fund was able to assist with the cost of the registration and case manager requested Womenade funds to help cover the insurance premium. $189 Car Insurance

  • Client was recently released from jail and is staying in Sober Living. He has encountered difficulties switching his insurance upon release and needs daily medication that his new insurance is saying that they won't be covered because he is still on his old insurance and his old insurance says he is no longer active and the new insurance should cover the cost. He is requesting assistance with the purchase of a 3-month supply while he and his case manager work on getting his health insurance sorted. $196.35 medication

  • Single woman living in her vehicle connected with 5CHC's Street Outreach team, she recently secured a part time job but requested assisted with payment for next month or car insurance so she does not lapse. $64.52 Car insurance


Laundry Pop-Up Belinda Benassi – Project coordinator; Terri Zielinski and Beth Hirsch in Nipomo

  • Nipomo Pop Up paid for 103 loads $348.25

  • Arroyo Grande Pop Up paid for 54 loads $227.25


Lopez High School Wolf Den – Heidi Boatman

  • 2 blankets and 1 throw $85.02 Walmart


Lucia Mar Adult Education – Jennifer Bowen, Principal

  • Swag order - student incentives at our learning centers, t-shirts as their last course is completed and they're now an adult graduate $252      LMUSD Print shop

  • Pre- Thanksgiving break food with drinks $85 LMUSD food service


Families in Transition – Wendy Bruse Coordinator of After School Programs, Deicy Trejo, Karina Ayala

  • Dad had an accident recently and has not been working. They are really tight on funding and student was in serious need of undergarments $61.35 Walmart

  • Student requested assistance with public bus pass. Student has not been attending school due to no access with transportation. Student is coming from SLO. $37 RTA-Regional bus pass

  • Grandparent of student requested assistance with public bus passes. Student has been arriving late to school due to the long walk and would like to try using the public trippers bus. $37 RTA-Regional bus pass


Pregnancy and Parenting Support – Cami Statler Executive director

  • Mother in Arroyo Grande to multiple small children requested a portable infant car seat to be able to safely transport her new baby, especially to activities and appointments with her older children. PPS' Certified Car Seat Technician taught the mother how to properly install the seats and position the baby. $64.68 Walmart


SLO County Office Of Education CSPP – (California Pre-School Programs) – Shannon Pimentel Program Coordinator

  • The family was so appreciative for the support, not only as it helped to ensure there was healthy food for their five young children, but also having the wonderful feeling that they are part of a community that cares for them was a shared gift. $98.46

  • They are undocumented, and with the current events, this family was very nervous to be out in the community, which included being nervous to utilize food banks.  This family is a family where only one parent is working.  The parent works in the fields, and during November he had not been working the hours he typically does, to best provide for his family. $79.39

  • Family almost out of food.  Loss of jobs and need assistance with groceries. $300 Groceries


Department of Social Services – Theresa Johnson – Division Manager

  • 1- day Bus Passes x 10 for clients in need of bus passes $82.50

  • Walmart gift cards for walk in clients in need of assistance $250


C.A.R.E.4Paws – Libby Williams-Cabral – area administrator

  • Damon, a disabled veteran living in his RV in Oceano, relies on his 6-year-old cat, Hadez, for steadfast companionship. Hadez has been by his side since he was just six weeks old, and Damon describes him as his “ride-or-die.” When Hadez became lethargic and unwell for several days, Damon brought him to our mobile clinic. Hadez was diagnosed with FIP, a devastating illness with a zero percent survival rate if left untreated. Thanks to the support of SLO South County Womenade, we were able to assist Damon in getting Hadez the urgent care he needed and CARE4Paws continues to provide additional help as the two navigate this frightening diagnosis together. For Damon, Hadez is not just a pet. He is family, stability, and emotional grounding. Your funding helped keep that vital bond supported during a moment of crisis. (Total bill was $450, Womenade Funding assisted with $225) $225 Cerro Alto Pet ER

  • We received an urgent call from a 5Cities Homeless Coalition case worker requesting help for an unhoused client whose 14-year-old dog was struggling with labored breathing. Lil Bit, a tiny senior dog who means the world to her owner Tammy, has a history of chewing on and ingesting pee pads. Monarch Vet was able to see them immediately, and case worker Ben was thankfully available to transport Tammy and Lil Bit to the clinic for emergency care. At Monarch, Lil Bit received bloodwork and radiographs. Dr. diagnosed her with pneumonia, likely aspiration pneumonia, and also found that she was severely constipated due to ingesting pee pads. She was also drinking and urinating excessively, which raised additional concerns. Thanks to the support of SLO South County Womenade, Tammy and Lil Bit received timely, compassionate care during a frightening emergency. Your funding allowed a vulnerable senior pet to receive lifesaving treatment and gave Tammy the reassurance that she and her beloved companion were not facing this crisis alone. (Total bill was $588.27, Womenade Funding assisted with $188.27) $188.27 Monarch Dunes Vet

  • Kyndred is a young man unhoused and living in his van in the 5-Cities area. His 9 wk-old Bear, urgently needed surgery after swallowing a fishhook. His family spent three frightening days searching for a veterinarian who could help, and when they finally reached Beach Cities Veterinary Hospital and learned about C.A.R.E.4Paws, the situation had become critical. The hook was deeply embedded, turning the procedure into a long and delicate operation that required significant surgical skill. Thanks to the generosity of SLO South County Womenade, $150 toward the $1000 cost, Bear was able to receive lifesaving care. The only other humane option would have been euthasia and we are fortunate this was not the case. (Total bill was $1000. Funding assisted with $150) $150 Beach Cities Veterinary


People’s Self Help Housing – Caity McCardell - Director of Resource Development

  • Client is a single mother of 4 very young kids. She is the only provider and this month her CalFresh has been cancelled. She is using her funds to pay for rent, food and monthly bills. She is requesting assistance with cleaning supplies and hygiene products for her home. $200.60 Walmart

  • Client is a single mother of 4 kids. She is the only provider. She has no assistance from family or friends. She is in need of assistance to pay the PG&E bill. She is having to use every dollar she has for food. The CalFresh benefits have been affected. She is requesting the assistance to help keep the lights on. If assisted, 4 kids will be able to do homework under a lighted room. $203.90 PG&E

  • This resident needs mechanic work done on her car at Tom's Auto. First Pres. Church provided funds for it to be assessed and estimated cost $768.21. This resident makes $1200/month and $710 goes to rent. She is being processed for a 30% unit at Cleaver and Clarke through HASLO. $269.21 Tom’s Auto Repair

  • Resident is a disabled mother of a one year old and household has been struggling with managing expenses. Family is in need of baby items including a highchair and sippy cups and some household supplies including cleaning products and feminine hygiene products. Social worker will purchase these items from Target. This social worker will continue to work on budgeting and applying for cost savings programs. $191.81 Target


Hearst Cancer Research Center – Julie Neiggemann and Ashley Hahn

  • Cancer patient from Arroyo Grande needed assistance with hotel stay near UCSF for follow up care/scans. Patient had used the full amount available through HCRC and American Cancer Society. $155.75

  • Cancer patient from Pismo Beach area needed help with car payment to avoid repossession. Family of 6 and this is their only vehicle. Patient had exhausted other resources. $600


Family Care Network – Lupita Ducharme

  • Funds were used to host a Thanksgiving celebration for youth in our Independent Living and Transitional Housing Programs, providing a warm meal and meaningful community connection. This gathering served 18 youth from South County, ensuring they felt supported and celebrated during the holiday season. $500 Food

  • Young foster youth who has maintained employment and has actively participated in our program. She needed support with purchasing a new pair of non-slip shoes for work. She is highly motivated and will work towards the opportunity for growth in her job $81.18 Work Shoes


Welcome Home Military Heroes – Executive Director Cheryl Tolan

  • Paid for 2 separate care gives for an elderly man who cannot care for himself and his wife is unable to physically help him $450


Martha’s Place – Tony Huffacker

  • Four families with 8 children in need of clothing and food $350

 
 
 

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