So much to do and so little time!
Newsletter March 23, 2023
Potluck Update!
The second annual tea party potluck at Lopez High school was an amazing success with both students and staff working busily to transform the multipurpose room into a banquet hall. Jennifer Bowen, the principal, kicked off the event thanking all the staff and students who made this possible. This was followed by a student presentation and of course all that delicious tea party food! There was even an impromptu testimonial by a student about her experience at Lopez and she gave her thanks for the help she and her family received from Womenade. Many guests took the tour of the The Lopez Wolf Den, a place students can get free apparel and necessities.
Mark your calendars!
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. It’s more fun when winners are present! We hope you can make it and win one of the prizes!
Hygiene Essentials Drive
Hygiene Essentials Drive April 1 – 30, 2024 Robin Pisz, leader, with great assistance by Candace Guldeman
Above is a picture of early donations! Amazing! Womenaders are wonderful! Our Hygiene Essentials Drive will run from April 1 – 30, 2024. Womenaders have been terrific supporters of this drive for the last six years. We are in our 7th year 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.
Hygiene poverty is not being able to afford many of the everyday hygiene and personal grooming products most of us take for granted. 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.
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 flyer above
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), you can send via email to this Amazon link. That 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
Welcome Two New Agencies
We have recently added two agencies to our list of partner agencies.
Pregnancy and Parenting Support is an apolitical, non-medical agency. They have a store that gives away food, clothing (maternity and baby), diapers, and anything else a woman might need to get through pregnancy and birth. Any service they do not provide, they provide a referral for. We are excited to add them to our team!
Lumina alliance helps victims of domestic and sexual assault, often with immediate and emergency assistance such as housing, clothing and food for victims fleeing abusers. We are so happy we can support such a worthy cause.
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
Volunteers to assist with the Hygiene Essentials Drive (drop off locations, sorters, boxers, delivery drivers)
Leader for a second Laundry Pop-Up day
Items needed let us know if you have any items:
A refrigerator - A family of 3 (Single mom and two kids under 10) is moving to Grover Beach in the near future but there is no refrigerator.
Toilet paper
Diapers
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.
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 March food distribution was on Tuesday March 12 at the Nipomo Elementary School (always the second Tuesday of the month). We gave out food to 340 families and ran out at 6:10PM! - Another very busy but rewarding month. We have a dedicated group of volunteers who make this program run smoothly. The next food distribution will be April 9th, 2024 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM
2/1/24 TO 2/29/24 $7,788.04
1/1/24 TO 2/29/24 $16,045.19
2/1/2019 TO 2/29.2024 $514,535.55
Thank you to our February donors! You make everything we do possible!
Sandy Strohman, Ardith Julien-Heinrich, Anonymous, Linda and Bradley Wilbert, Mary DeJong, Fran Norris, Lyn Lamison, Rosemary Cleaves (2), Sheila and Richard Semana, Karen Kolba (2), Joann and Stan Benson, SLO County Garbagemen’s Association, Olive and Mike Shu, Diane Nielsen, Andrea Chavez, Barbara Deel, Carol Chenot (2), Connie Marangi, Tricia Robertson, Linda Busek, Marcella Gelman (2), Gee Gee Southward, Lynn Heinrich, Lola Zybura, Lori Connolly, Wendy Castleman, Marilyn Knollenberg, Mary Anne Morgan and Madeline Fay (2), Jann Jeffries, Heidi Boatman, Susan McCutcheon (2), Lynda Burnsed, Madeline Stevenson, Cory Gonzalez, Elaine Stewart, Linda Sullivan, Lisa Murdoch (2), Vicki Fesler, Sandy Richardson, the Nipomo Rotary, Gail Applegate, Karen Blum, Caity McCardell, Dana Robertson, Anita Shower, Jessica Griffiths, Debra Jackson, Lara Golden, PayPal Giving Fund, Kathy Forenza, Robin Pisz, Mariam Shah
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
Department of Social Services – Jannine Lambert – Director; Sheila Wolpert – Division Management Support
Elder couple needed gas to get to food pantries, they have no income $25 Chevron
Participant came into office wanting to speak to someone about an appointment she has, she is experiencing homelessness and needed to get to her appointment and had no gas to get there. $25 Chevron
Client recently got let go from his employment.Client is seeking work and can use gas cards to get from interview to interview. $50 Chevron
Homeless sleeping in car.Needs gas to keep warm and drive around to different parking locations $50
Casa Solana – Renée Poirier – Executive Director
Casa Solana was able to provide a gift bed for the third month to a women in her 30's who struggles with substance abuse.She recently secured employment and will be moving to the graduate house where she will be able to pay her own rent. $800
Oceano Family Resource Center – Advocate Stella Medina
Family of 4 in need of food due to high cost of living. Family receives food stamps, but it is not enough to get through the month. $100 Smart and Final
Single mother of a 6 yr old son. Mother lost her job because the elderly person she was caring for went into 24hr care facility. Family in need of food support this month. $100 Food4Less
Homeless family of 5 living in a motel in SLO. They need gas money to get to work/school in Oceano. Work hours have decreased due to weather/lost income.$100 Chevron
Arroyo Grande Family Resource Center – Cinthyia Ortiz-Corona
Family of five currently under single income. Struggling with rent for Feb. support needed for partial rent. $300 Carlos Garcia (landlord)
Weekly Pantry Items $51.21 SLO Foodbank
Client requesting rental assistance. They have been struggling to pay rent since they were laid off from work due to the recent rain storms. $300 Mickey & Nancy Thompson (landlord)
Big family household struggling with daily household costs. Car insurance was cancelled and they need vehicle to take youngest to mental health appointments. $272.88 Arnoldussen + Assoc. Insurance
Grandmother taking care of grandchild. Their only income is from SSI which is very little, not enough to cover basic needs. $289.69 PG&E
Big family household with recent insurance shut off. Facing electric bill shut off March 4th if portion is not paid. Heap application processing takes 3-4 weeks. Need help with PG&E now. $90 PG&E
Single dad currently struggling with current sleeping arrangements. He is sharing queen bed with 5 and 7 yr old. He is requesting support to purchase bed frame and comforter set for youth. Father recently started new employment part-time but they are still struggling financially $154.06 Amazon
Pair of siblings recently moved out from doubled up situation after being asked to vacate. Support with partial first month’s rent to move into new living situation (renting a room). $500 Inez Perez (landlord)
Single parent struggling with reduced hrs. applying for other jobs. Requesting support with electric bill to avoid service interruption. $133.56 PG&E
Nipomo Family Resource Center – Marivel Pille
Father is main provider and hrs at work were cut back in Dec and Jan. this caused a financial setback. Need support with rent this month. $300 Freedom Mortgage (landlord)
Mom was out sick for 2 weeks with an infection in the kidneys, lungs and pneumonia. Lost wages, need support with rent this month. $400 Cider Village Apartments (landlord)
Father is main breadwinner. He got sick and was out of work for two months. Since he was not able to work, they were living off their savings. Recently ran out of savings, need assistance with paying rent. $300 750 Grande Associates (landlord)
Single mother with 2 daughters is requesting rental assistance for this month. Mother has been unable to work due to recent rain storms. $200 Adelaida Gutierrez (landlord)
Nutrition Team – Mary Anne Morgan leader
Food for families in need and for school children SLO FoodBank $220.24
5 Cities Homeless Coalition – Janna Nichols Executive Director
Single, disabled female who was housed through 5CHC's Rapid Re-housing program in 2022 had her home damaged in the severe weather during the February storm. She contacted 5CHC as she had nowhere else to go - we were able to support with a short hotel stay while she sorted out next steps with her landlord and the city. $270.76 Motel 6 Stay
Single, senior female living on a very limited fixed income. Recently fell in her home, had to have hip surgery and got significantly behind on bills. Has sought assistance through local churches and CAPSLO's HEAP program but has now exhausted that assistance. Seeking help from 5CHC on her final bill (PG&E) to get caught up and avoid shut-off.$360.87 PG&E - Electricity Bill
The Link – Advocate Yuliana Molina - Mesa Middle School and Judkins Middle School and Advocate Brenda Gonzalez – Paulding Middle School
Low-income family. Mom is the only working adult, dad was injured and unable to work for now, until he recovers. Mom requested assistance for food, gas, and other basic needs. Issued the family a $150 in gift card.
Single mom of 3. She is a field worker, with the rainy season unfortunately she has only been working about 8hrs a week. She requested assistance with food and toiletries. Family was issued a $100 Gift card
Family of 6 . Dad recently laid off due to work injury. Dad currently is dealing with a legal case due to injury and abuse by employer. Mom does not work due to being physical disabled. Need money for food and gas expenses for appointments $100 Gift card
Lopez High School – Jennifer Bowen- Principal; Aurora Munoz – Admin
Behavioral Interventions and Supports, support students' behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health $52.92 Grocerystore
Wolfmarket supplies, Takis and Top Ramen for Positive. $52.92 Grocery store
Bike tires for a disadvantaged student who rides his bike to and from school up on the Mesa. $11.27 Walmart
Chester's Flamin Hot Fries, Wolfmarket supplies Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support. Support students' behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health. $22.99 Grocery Store
Lopez High School – Wolf Den Heidi Boatman and Jann Jeffries
Shoes for female student. See attached $75.42 Converse
Heater for student living alone in a trailer $41.31 Miners
6 laundry detergents & 3 hair brushes $39.81 Walmart
Toiletries for stocking Den $36.57 Dollar Tree
Shoes for female student wearing her brother's size 10 shoes as hers wore out $67.88 Vans
Mission Hope – Katie Crafton – Oncology Social Worker, Brianda Lemus
Man in 40’s with blood cancer who is unable to work and needs help getting to appointments. $25 Gas
Woman in 60’s with bladder cancer who is having to travel often for appointments and is missing work. $50 Gas
Man in 50’s with metastatic pancreatic cancer having to travel a lot and is waiting on disability to kick in. $50 Gas
Woman in her 70’s with breast cancer struggling to make it to appointments. $25 Gas
Woman in 40’s with breast cancer having to drive to Santa Maria multiple times per week. $25 Gas
Families in Transition – Wendy Bruse Coordinator of After School Programs, Deicy Trejo
Young student in desperate need of clothing. Parents are not fully working due to the field's schedule and weather. Clothes no longer fit. $130 Marshalls gift card ($100) and shoes
Family was recently evicted and is residing in hotels for the moment. Mom has 4 children and they cannot make it with their food benefits each month due to how expensive it is. Purchased a hot skillet for mom to use to heat food $49 Electrical hot skillet
Family is not able to heat their home. Need a heavy-warm blanket for the student to use during this time. Mom says the house runs very cold. $43 Heavy duty blanket
Provided shoes and toiletries to the family. Single parent household and parent has been laid off due to the strawberry season not starting yet. Family was desperate for toilet paper as they had been out for over a week. Student reported he has been using old toilet paper that has already been used. $60 Shoes and toiletries
Student requested assistance with a grad night ticket. He said he sees his family is struggling financially and does not want to burden them. $130 Grad night ticket
Single parent mom requires assistance with clothing and shoes. Her autistic son is in need, especially shoes. He lost a shoe on the bus that has not been found, and she had barely purchased it, and cannot afford another pair. $130 Old Navy for shoes
Single parent stopped by to request help with buying her daughter clothing. She was extremely embarrassed to ask for help and waited months before asking us for it. We explained we are here to help and she may trust us with her needs. $100 Old Navy
Family is struggling financially, and the student is in need of clothing. His clothes are not fitting anymore and they have no means to get him clothing at the moment. $130 gift card
Assisted a grandmother with clothing for her grandson. The mother is not in the picture and the father is not reliable to support his son. Since the grandmother is older and has her expenses, FIT offered support with clothing. $100 Old Navy
Single mom and student are currently living out of their car. Student had been doing online schooling, but will be switching to in-person. Family needs support with needed items for the student to be comfortable with the new change. Shoes and backpack $100 Marshalls
Family staying in a RV and is struggling to get by. One parent is disabled and not able to work, making finances tight. Student needs a city bus pass to get to school. $37 SCT 31 day bus pass
Single mother and student in transitional housing. Student needs a public bus pass to get to school while they figure out their living situation. $37 RTA 31 day Bus pass
Family recently reunited after mom and 2 children came to the USA seeking asylum. The father is the only one working/covers all their expenses, including renting a single bedroom for all of them. The mother requested help with clothing for the school-aged student. $100 Walmart
Helped a mother with clothing for her daughter. They recently immigrated to the U.S. and she's struggling financially to support both of her children. $100 Walmart
Supported an unaccompanied high school student with some clothing. The clothing will greatly help his uncle save money since he covers all of the student's expenses and the student does not have a lot of clothing options. $50 Clothing
Unaccompanied youth in need of support with his final school project for his Agriculture/Biology class. He needs help covering the materials that his aunt cannot cover. Will need rose plants, nursery pots, soil, fertilizer, pruning shears, mulch, stakes. $150 Home Depot
Unaccompanied youth had her legal guardians cut off all financial responsibility to her and she must provide for herself now that she is 18. Student is distraught and needs support to at least finish the end of year senior items. Support with a yearbook and tassel for graduation. $91.49 Year book and tassel
Family going through a lot of medical and financial obstacles. Grandparents are both in the home and ill. Oldest daughter is between caring for them and working full time for her children. After a rough year, she has requested assistance to make her child's schooling easier. She requested a children's dictionary to assist her with her homework. $25 Children’s dictionary
3 Students in need of SCT bus passes. The three students are either siblings and cousins, they are tripled up in an apartment with their parents. All the families are here on asylum, and trying to get by while their case is heard. They cannot afford the passes to have their daughters get to school. $111 SCT - 31 day bus passes (3x)
Single mother and her 3 children are couch surfing between AG, Oceano and Guadalupe. Mom cannot work due to 1 yr old not developing appropriately, and 3 yr old attending special education preschool. Her only car is struggling to run and needs assistance with fixing it. Referred family to the auto mechanic teacher at AGHS and FIT will assist with the car parts. $170 Car parts
Pregnancy and Parenting Support – Cami Statler Executive director
Single mother with two small children, experiencing severe post-partum anxiety. Paid for initial consult with psychiatrist for treatment and medication. $350 Ken Starr Wellness Group
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
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South SLO County Womenade
1793 Farroll Rd.
Grover Beach, CA 93433