Many Womenaders zoomed into the potluck, met the advocates and bought new merchandise. On Sunday May 24th, we held our first virtual ZOOM potluck fundraiser! Twenty-seven people attended. So far we have received about $1,200 of pre-zoom potluck donations with hopefully many checks wending their way to us via snail mail or on paypal!
Jill Ostrove, one of our board members, hosted the event on her ZOOM account and was the moderator. Guests arrived in the "waiting room," and if there were any I.T. issues, Jill tried to help resolve them. Only one guest wasn’t able to connect. It was a great opportunity to see so many people we haven't been able to see for a few weeks now!
Jill introduced our new exciting merchandise we have created to help with fundraising. T-Shirts $20 and Tote bags $15. We are not mailing items but have local pick-up or drop-off.
They can be ordered by emailing Jill Ostrove at Jillian.Ostrove@gmail.com. She will need to know:
size T-shirt (M, L, XL) and # of T-shirts
Totes – Number
Pick-up or drop off (5 cities area)
How you want to pay: check or paypal
So, now it's all about that ZOOM! - Our first ever virtual potluck fundraiser!!! It was set up and brilliantly moderated by Jill Ostrove.
After some brief introductory remarks by Rosemary Cleaves, board president, each of the agencies who attended made a presentation describing who they are, and what they are currently working on. First Rosemary also described the May 12th Nipomo Elementary School Food Distribution. It was another successful distribution. Staffed with 8 volunteers, we gave food to 228 families who either drove up in cars or walked up. We have developed as hands-free, socially distanced, face-masked process as possible. Many of the families told us how much they appreciated the food, and our being there for them. The FoodBank drivers were a huge help that day.
The following advocates attended: Daniela Garcia, South County Youth Coalition and supervisor of their family resource centers, Jessica Baza – Arroyo Grande Family Resource Center, Heidi Boatman and Jann Jeffries – the Wolf Den, Lisa Fraser, The Link, Jennifer Bowen, Principal, Aurora Munoz and Katie Gonzalez from Lopez High School. Below are the current needs of clients that the advocates shared:
Daniela Garcia spoke on behalf of the Nipomo and Oceano Family Resource Centers.
Nipomo Family Resource Center
Family of 6 in need of rental assistance. Dad who is the breadwinner of the family works for a restaurant where hours were cut due to COVID-19. Mom is a stay home mom taking care of her 2 yr old twin girls, a 3 year old girl and her 12 year old son. Family is behind in rent by $1,650 and the family is requesting $800.00 to help cover the cost of rent.
Family of 4 in need of rental assistance, dad is in prison, mom is working part time as an in home support assistance. She is short on money for her rent. She is behind in rent by $1,648 dollars, and is requesting $800 dollars.
Single mom with two children who has recently been reduced to working part time due to COVID-19. Her monthly rent is $1,200, this mom has been staying up to date with all her monthly bills and is asking for $600.00 to help cover rent for the month of June.
Oceano Family Resource Center
A family who both mom and dad lost their jobs due to COVID19. Both parents did not qualify for unemployment and their two daughters did not know that they could apply for unemployment (we are applying now). Their youngest son who is due to graduate in June, just started working a part time job to help the family pay for rent. The father after losing his job was able to secure a part time job with very limited hours. The family is struggling to pay rent and are worried about being evicted. $300
A single mother and her 5-year-old son need food and personal care items. Both are undoccumented and are not eligible for any government assistance. $200
A single mom of 4 small children who is a victim of domestic violence, she is currently doubled up with another family (10 people in one house with one bathroom) . The family would love to have a few days alone in a motel to get a breath of fresh air. $300
Mother of three small children just left her abusive husband after depending on him with all the household costs. She is in need of car repairs to be independent and find employment to provide for her now family of 4. Car repair estimate is $300
Jessica Baza for the Arroyo Grande Family Resource Center
Single mom with two growing teenage boys. Mom has lost hours at work. Does not qualify for unemployment or a stimulus check. Both sons have grown out of their clothing. Boys have no shoes. Have been wearing sandals.
Gift cards for Smart & Final, Gas card, and Walmart Total of $200
Teen mom just gave birth. Teen dad lost both jobs due to Covid- has since found another job. Short on rent. $300 towards rental assistance. $50 smart and final gift card.
Both parents loss of hours due to Covid 19. Family does not qualify for unemployment or stimulus check. Middle son was hit by a car while he was riding his bike on Tuesday. Son has to have surgery on his clavicle and mom has to miss a week of work. Assisting with rent, food and water bill. Total of $900.
NUTRITION TEAM led by Kathy Cohl – unfortunately she wasn’t able to connect to the ZOOM.
The Nutrition Team provides food for children who are food-insecure on the weekends during the school year. Food is provided by our generous South County Community and Womenade donations. We are currently providing 20 bags of food to Lopez and Judkins schools, and 10 “Brown Bags” to Mesa students. Recently Kathy and her husband and Joanie Thomas have been filling the bags. The bags are sent home Friday afternoons with the students. We strive to provide nutritious, high-quality food to our student recipients. No sugary snacks or glass jars go home with our students! Suggested food list: Mac & Cheese Peanut Butter (plastic jar) 16 oz. or smaller Canned Spaghetti sauce, dry spaghetti sauce mix Canned Albacore tuna, canned chicken Soup: cans and dry mix Ramen, 1lb. Bags of rice Boxed shelf-stable milk (Dollar Tree), cocoa mixes, instant dry milk9 Raisins, dry fruit and nuts in individual packets Fruit cups Individual pkgs. of Oatmeal and 12 oz. boxes of Cheerios Power Bars and Granola Bars. The last packing will be on June 5 (the last day of school).
Heidi Boatman for The Wolf Den
Although Lopez High School, like other schools, is currently shut down we are happy to announce that we still have some happy shoppers!! We also keep an ample supply of Toiletries in the office as the office is part time staffed and students do drop by. Also, the Nipomo Rotary Club is purchasing and installing a commercial washer & dryer for the Lopez students & their family’s use, so laundry soap for the top loading washer would be greatly appreciated.
Toiletries are in high demand now: Deodorant, Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Tooth Brushes & Tooth Paste, Disposal Razors & Shaving Cream, Soap, Lotion
Laundry Soap – 40 Oz.
Men’s Boxer Briefs – Sizes Small & Medium
Lisa Fraser, Executive Director for the Link spoke for Erica Andrade
The Link
Erica Andrade serves as the Family Advocate at Mesa Middle School and Judkins Middle School. She works closely with School Counselors, the Friday Night Live Team, Oceano Family Resource Center and 5 Cities Homeless Coalition so families basic needs are addressed quickly. She helps parents develop an understanding of their Middle School child’s social and emotional needs. She supports students so they are engaged with school and enrichment activities such as sports, music and art programs.
Current needs of families she is working with are:
A family of three experiencing financial hardships due to father and mother being becoming unemployed due to COVID-19. They are both undocumented and need assistance with their utilities. They require $250.
An undocumented mother of three lost her job due to COVID-19. My clients sister and daughter have moved in due to domestic violence. This family requires rental assistance and a baby swing.
Family in need of a dependable computer. Student relies on access to TeleHealth for his mental health treatment sessions. Single Mother is undocumented and unemployed. The computer is purchased from Exploration Station in Grover Beach and costs $300.
Jennifer Bowen, Principal of Lopez High School. LHS has a small, motivated student body but no Parent or Booster club organizations. Many of the students are on their own.
Lopez High School Needs
Items for the “I Need… mailbox at school” where students request specific items
Items for the virtual ticket store – the “Wolf Market” to offer rewards for good practices and academic achievements
Scholarships to help students with graduation cap/gowns
Parent Café and New Student Orientation – for snacks and decorations for this event
The ZOOM potluck was a lot of fun. We encourage anyone who wants to host one to do so. It is so easy and does provide a way to connect during our stay at home time.
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 or go to our website sslocw.org or paypal.me/sslocwomenade.
Our email is: sslocwomenade@gmail.com
Our website is: sslocw.org
Our EIN# is: 27-0809744
Phone number: (805) 270-5751
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