Teachers' School Supplies Drive, Potluck Review, Next Potluck - Very Exciting!, Projects Update, Help and Items Needed, Funds Received, Thanks to Donors, Where the Money Went

Teachers' School Supplies Drive with a Twist

This is our 7th Annual Teachers' School Supplies Drive

You may ask, "Why do a Teachers' School Supplies Drive?"

First a little background: In the South SLO County Lucia Mar Unified School District we have many Title 1 schools. A school is considered a Title I school if at least 40% of its students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Eleven (11) of our 19 schools are title 1 schools.

Teachers are the front line force to educating our future population. On average, teachers spend between $500 and $700 of their own money annually on classroom necessities. When we help relieve some of this financial burden we ultimately are helping the students who not only need food support but who certainly can't afford the prerequisite school supplies to succeed in the classroom.

Teachers and Principals have told us that the need for school supplies is greatest in January at the start of the second semester. No one is thinking school supplies then, and they are not on sale So here is our TWIST - we are holding our school supplies drive from July 15 to August 15th, when they are on sale, but will be storing them in a fabulous Womenader's home until January!

We have prepared an Amazon Wish List and a Most-Needed Supplies list. However as you shop, and you are moved to purchase supplies targeted at students not just teachers eg. notebooks, crayons, pencils, paper, pens, binders - please do so as the students will have depleted whatever they had in the fall.

Amazon Wish List

Link will be available in next newsletter

Most-Needed Supplies

• Baby wipes (for cleaning headphones)*

• Blue Clorox wipes*

• Scotch laminating sheets*

• Paper Mate Flair felt tip pens

• Fine point dry erase markers (black and color)

• Sharpies (fine point and large tip)

• Sticky notes (all sizes)

• Glue sticks

• Painter’s tape

• Masking tape

• Heavy duty whiteboard magnets

• Whiteboard magnet clips

• Avery adhesive labels (2”x4” and other sizes)

  *Most needed items

  
  

Drop-Off Locations

Drop off locations will be available in the next newsletter

Potluck Review

Last evening's event was a wonderful enthusiastic gathering of over 40 people celebrating all things South SLO County Womenade. As always there were amazing donors and advocates learning about each other. There was flower crown making, margaritas and so much delicious food. Many thanks to Karen Kolba for arranging the use of the clubhouse at Toucan Terrace. We enjoyed the beautiful views and even a sunset before the marine layer rolled in.

Next Potluck Fundraiser - Very Exciting!

Our next potluck will be hosted by Mariam Shah on Saturday, August 22, starting at 3:00 PM. Event invitations will go out July 1st through Zeffy! Watch your inbox and please share. We would love this to be a "GRAND" afternoon and evening!

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW!

It promises to be an outstanding event. Join us in Arroyo Grande for South SLO County Womenade’s first-ever benefit concert featuring Carbon City Lights. They are donating their performance to South SLO County Womenade. It will be an evening of live music, community, food, and connection that you won’t want to miss.

Carbon City Lights is a Central Coast indie alt-rock band blending atmospheric guitars, soaring vocals, and emotionally driven songwriting into powerful live performances rooted in warmth and connection. Fronted by singer-songwriter Michael Venia, the band moves between energetic alt-rock anthems and intimate, reflective moments — all with authenticity at the center of it all.

At its core, Carbon City Lights creates music that helps people feel connected — to themselves and to each other.

Learn more and listen to their music at: https://carboncitylights.com/

Start spreading the news! Let's dance,

Guests are invited to bring chairs and a potluck dish to share as we gather together as well as their place settings and beverage. Proceeds from the event will support South SLO County Womenade’s work providing care, connection, and direct assistance throughout our community.

Arrival + parking begins at 3:00 PM Event begins at 3:30 PM Live music starts around 4:00 PM

(Address and parking details will be provided after ticket purchase.)

We can’t wait to spend this special evening with you!

Projects Updates

Laundry Pop-Up - Belinda Benassi, Terri Zielinski and Beth Hersch

Our Nipomo team reports:

We had a few regulars waiting with washers loaded when we arrived. We also had the opportunity to meet several new people today.  One young man had just gotten home from working in the San Francisco area and had only a little time to get his laundry done before heading out tomorrow to work in the LA area.  He was very excited and grateful to have us pay for his laundry.  He specifically mentioned how the cost of gas was impacting his budget.  He was so excited that he reached out to his mother and she was able to come in and get her clothes in washers before we left.  We were able to help 15 different individuals/families today.  It seems that 6 is a common family size and they generate a lot of loads of laundry!  Everyone is very appreciative of the help!

Our Arroyo Grande team reports:

We enjoyed a super busy morning. We ran out of money—thank you, Ann and Cathy, for the rescue. :). By the end of our event, we were able to serve approximately 29 individuals/families with 52 Wash & 42 Dry loads of laundry. 

A few noteworthy items:

There were several unhoused individuals (4-6) waiting for us to do their laundry. They expressed gratitude towards the SSCW volunteers and the financial assistance to wash their clothes. 

We had a regular customer bring the volunteers a dozen tamales for each as she shared this would be her and her family's last laundry pop-up event as they will be moving out of the state. 

I would like to recognize and thank one of our regular laundry pop-up event volunteers, Gay Groomes. Gay recently held a garage sale to raise funds for SLO South County Womenade. 

Next Laundry Pop-Ups:

July 11, 2026 Launderia Laundre Mat 505 Orchard St. Nipomo

July 18, 2026 The Laundromat 119 S 13th Street, Grover Beach

Sign up to volunteer here:

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0B44AEA82DAAF9C52-50105745-2024

Nipomo Food Distribution – Rosemary Cleaves, Sue McCutcheon, and Mary Anne Morgan - project leaders

The June 9th distribution at Nipomo High School was very successful. We had a full complement of Spanish speakers to help sign in the clients. We had 350 families (slightly lower than usual but typical for June!) come through our drive up and walk up lines. The next food distribution is Tuesday July14th, with our team working from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. We have a drive up and a walk up line.

Help and Items Needed

• Grant writing – If you are interested in or have experience in grant writing we would love to talk to you.

• Volunteers to help organize supplies for storage in Arroyo Grande on Monday, August 17th 9 to 11AM

• Volunteers for the Laundry Pop UP Sign up here: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0B44AEA82DAAF9C52-50105745-2024

• Toilet paper

• Diapers

• Pack n Play

• Child safety items - drawer and cabinet locks and gates

• Laundry detergent

Update on Funds Received

5/1/26 to 5/31/26            $5,060.05

1/1/26 to 5/31/26             $62,002.26

2/1/2019 TO 5/31/26     $908,660.18

Thanks to May Donors

Michelle Moock, Nancy Terrell, Sandra Richardson, Candace Kincade, Carol J Chenot, Sue Girard, Sherry Mueller, Susan Evard, Sheri Gordon (2) Diane Olear, Jackie Christopher (2), BJ Bushur (2), Elaine Stewart (2), Raylene Moazamipour, Cory Gonzalez (2), Marilyn Mullany, Mary DeJong, Nipomo Presbyterian Church, Kristin Bertsch (2), Rosemary Cleaves (3), Sheila Simmons-Semana (2), Anita Ikeda, Fran Norris (2), Ema Rasmussen, Janet Lavelle, Lori Kroger, Vicki Gaska, Janet Garrett, Anita Shower, Jessica, Griffiths, Olive and Mike Shu (2), Mary Bishop, Amanda LeNay (2), Grover Beach Rotary Club, Gay Evison Groomes, Mary Anne Morgan and Madeline Fay, Stan and Joann Benson (2), Nancy Livingston

Where the Money Went

During the month of May your donations helped meet 65 urgent and emergency needs!

Casa Solana – Renée Poirier – Executive Director

• Casa Solana was able to provide a gift bed for a third month to a woman in her 30's who is a domestic violence survivor.  She is doing amazing in her recovery; she has started working and is planning on moving to the graduate house. $800

 Nipomo Family Resource Center – Advocate Yuliana Molina

• Family of 3. Single mom is struggling financially. She has fallen behind on her bills. She needs support with sanitary service bill. $121.45 So. County Sanitary Inc.

• Single mom lost her job of 4 yrs in Jan. She is really struggling financially. This is to help pay rent for May. They live at this site. $400 Frontage Self Storage

• One parent had heart attack recently and is unable to work. Only mom is working. Received shut off notice if not paid asap. $240.18 PG&E

• Mom is working hard to get her son back. She is making it to both her jobs, therapy, and all services required. Losing home will jeopardize reunification with son. $400 Valon Mortgage

Oceano Family Resource Center – Advocate Stella Medina

• A Family of 5 including three children with special needs. Recently displaced from their home of eight years. They are moving to a new place and have paid $3000 for deposit. They need some help to make the rent. $400 B&W Property Management

• Homeless family of 5 had some unexpected expenses and now their budget is strained. They are behind on their monthly RV space rental. Facing having to move out. They have nowhere else to go. $400 Pismo Sands RV Resort

Arroyo Grande Family Resource Center – Cinthyia Ortiz-Corona

• Family of five struggling with income since head of household has not been able to work the last two weeks. EDD pending, need help to cover electric bill. $279 PG&E

• The family needs assistance with repairing their vehicle windshield. Their son is currently visiting from Oklahoma, a 2 yr old child making it especially important to have a safe windshield with clear visibility for the mother while driving. $281.38 A-1 Glass

• Single mother is requesting help with Spectrum bill. This is necessary for son to complete assignments for school online. $100 Spectrum

• Family of nine are struggling financially. They need support with water bill this month. $204.54 City of Grover Beach

• Family of 7 with significant financial stress.  Youth needs a pair of glasses for school and Medi-Cal only covers one pair per year. $383 Vision center of Santa Maria

Nutrition Team – Mary Anne Morgan leader

• Food for the Lopez High School Food Pantry $82.30 SLO Foodbank

 5 Cities Homeless Coalition – Devon McQiade, Executive Director

• Client is currently homeless, living in his vehicle and moving into Balay Ko on Barca. 5CHC requires onsite vehicles to be registered and insured. Client is currently out of work and trying to find employment. 5CHC was able to cover a month's payment of insurance while client seeks employment. Client will reassess income with his case manager in a month and will see if additional assistance is needed. $67.15 Allstate Insurance

• Client is currently homeless, living in her vehicle. She was recently able to get her license reinstated but required SR22 Insurance which was more expensive. Client requested assistance with this cost. $300 Cost U Less Insurance Center – Car Insurance

• Client had dental emergency and required oral surgery. His co-pay was significant and he requested assistance with the cost. 5CHC was able to use Womenade funds to help with a portion and received additional assistance from a local church.  Client has recovered and is doing much better. $500 Oxnard Dental Group - Copay

• Client recently moved into 5CHC's Balay Ko on Barca Shelter after living in her vehicle for several months. 5CHC requires vehicles on site to be registered and insured. Client had recently paid for registration but needed to complete a smog certification and was out of funds to cover the cost. 5CHC was able to use Womenade funds to cover this remaining cost. $45 Auto IQ Services – Smog Cert

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

• In Nipomo –  It was a slow day at the Laundromat with 62 loads completed and $220.50 spent. Clients are very grateful for the help especially with escalating gas prices

• Grover Beach – Also a slow day with 59 loads completed and $199.50 spent.  The clients expressed so much thanks for the assistance, mentioning that they can now buy gas!

Lopez High School – Keith Gledhill- Principal; Aurora Munoz – Admin

• Prom Expenses, Scholarships and DJ $1,530

• PBIS End of year Takis, Nutella, Arizona Tea $56.96

• Field Trip Scholarship CM. Six Flags $80

• Cap & Gown Scholarships $300

• Lopez High School yearbook scholarships $60

 Lopez High School Wolf Den – Heidi Boatman

• Girls’ clothes $70.68 Walmart

• Toiletries $16.41 Dollar Tree

• Laundry Detergent $95.62 Vons

• Guys and Girls Clothes $323.14 Walmart

 Lucia Mar Adult Education – Kristin Anderson, Principal

• Student did not complete high school from his out-of-town home. He then came to Adult Education to earn his high school diploma. Unaware that we still host a graduation ceremony, he was not prepared to pay the cap/gown/tassel fee.

  
  

  Financial assistance was requested in order for him to attend graduation with his classmates. $50

• Student moved from out of the district high school, to a continuation program, but did not complete requirements to receive a diploma. Adult Education helped this student meet his goal. However, he's been trying to establish a career in the film industry and that comes with many expenses. His recent travel for work, in this industry, set him back and he's unable to celebrate his accomplishment without a cap/gown/tassel. Financial assistance was requested for him to attend graduation with his classmates. $50

• Student participated in the second cohort of Medical Assisting with Lucia Mar. She was struggling to finish the payment plan for the course but managed. That left her with nothing to pay for her cap/gown/tassel. Financial assistance was requested in order for her to be a part of our graduation diploma but as part of our career pathway group.  $50

• Student was a high school diploma graduate with Adult Education. Now having her diploma, she was able to participate in the second cohort of Lucia Mar's Phlebotomy program. The program is encouraging her to present a speech at graduation to show that her diploma can hold a lot of opportunities. She has since completed the program and placed in an externship before taking her state exam to be licensed. Financial assistance was requested so she can attend the graduation ceremony and share the success for future LMAE students. $50

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

• Single mother with four children had her work hours reduced. Family needs support with her oldest graduating high school. $106.17 Cap and Gown

• Unaccompanied youth has had housing challenges and needs support with getting herself to school daily as her caregiver has taken a step back from helping. $225.11 Bike for Transport

• Single-mother, family currently at the shelter, struggling with life. Students need a basic alarm clock to get up earlier to make the trip to school. $18.32 Alarm clock and Batteries

• Unaccompanied youth had a bike but did not have a bike or helmet to ride and keep the bike safe during the day. $57.03 Lock and Helmet

Pregnancy and Parenting Support – Cami Statler Executive director

•  No Expenses

Mission Hope – Katie Crafton – Oncology Social Worker

• No Expenses

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

•  No expenses

Department of Social Services – Theresa Johnson – Division Manager

• Homeless client living in her vehicle ran out of income because she used it to get a hotel room after her surgery and needed basic essentials and food $50 Walmart

• PT came into office wanting to transfer her benefits, had no transportation and requested a bus pass to apply for benefits $8.25 Bus pass

• PT came into the office to apply for services and has no transportation and needed to get to North County which is where he lives. $8.25 Bus pass

• Pt needs to get to SLO to obtain a cell phone (free) and then job search $8.25 Bus pass

• ·PT is homeless, wants to get to Prado for shelter, shower and clothing $8.25 Bus pass

County Nurses – Meryl Castro – County Nurse Supervisor

• Wipes and Diapers for new moms $56.42

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

• A couple, who are currently unhoused and staying in a shed in the Five Cities area, reached out when their dog Remington began showing signs of significant mouth pain and could no longer open his jaw comfortably. Despite their difficult circumstances, it was clear how much they care for Remington, describing him as a happy, playful, and deeply loved member of their family. With support from South SLO County Womenade funding, we were able to help them access veterinary care to evaluate his condition and provide relief. This support offered not only care for Remington, but reassurance and guidance for Danielle and her husband during an already challenging time. We are waiting for an update to learn how Remington is feeling and hope the news is good. $86 Monarch Vet

• A dog mom, from Grover Beach, grew increasingly worried when her dog Peppa began showing signs of pain, crying when touched and moving disoriented, no longer her usual energetic self. With help from our program and South SLO County Womenade funding covering the exam, Peppa was able to be seen and evaluated. The visit and testing revealed a spinal abnormality, giving Mariana answers and a path forward to help keep Peppa safe and prevent further injury. $68.80

• Oceano resident needed help when her 8-year-old dog Lulu was diagnosed with a carcinoma that required a dewclaw amputation to remove the cancerous toe. At the same time Dog Mom was dealing with the aftermath of a recent home flood, and with limited insurance coverage, she was struggling to make ends meet when Lulu needed care most. Lulu means everything to her, and she was determined to move forward with treatment despite the financial strain. Thanks to South SLO County Womenade funding, we were able to help provide that safety net, and Lydia expressed deep gratitude for the support during such a difficult time. $150 VCA – AG

• A woman, who lives in Grover Beach and works for Meals on Wheels, reached out when her 13-year-old dog Thor, a beloved Border Collie mix, was experiencing another painful pancreatitis flare-up. Thor has a long history with this condition, and while Kelly always does everything she can for him, the cost of care during these episodes can quickly become overwhelming. Wanting to ease his discomfort but struggling to keep up with bills, she turned to us for help. Thanks to South SLO County Womenade funding, we were able to support a portion of Thor’s care, helping him get through this flare-up while giving Kelly some much-needed peace of mind. $100 Monarch

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

• Resident is seeking employment and needs cleaning supplies for general housekeeping.$66.46

• Resident needs cleaning supplies to clean apartment and also new sheets. A chair was part of this purchase due to his last one being vandalized. $58.02

• Resident needs pee pads for service animal to properly relieve themselves. $21.73

• Resident is a single head of household who has had recent health condition complications. Resident stopped working April 2026 and is under financial stress. Resident also has been without transportation as her vehicle broke down. Currently, resident needs assistance with her utility bill as she has a shut off notice and a balance of 323.21 plus 6.30 processing fee. If assisted, client will be able to remain stable with basic necessities. $329.51

Transitions Mental Health -Tricia Ochoa

• Payment for electricity bill to maintain power $55 PG&E

• surcharge for online payment for PG&E payment $1.07 PG&E

• Hygiene Supplies for client $42.91 Walmart

Hearst Cancer Research Center – Julie Neiggemann and Ashley Hahn

•  No Expenses

 Family Care Network – Lupita Ducharme

•  Young mother lacked access to adequate dental care in childhood and has been unable to afford needed treatment in recent years. With this support, she will receive front tooth crowns, improving her oral health as well as her confidence and overall well-being$350 Endodontic practice

• Single mom utilized an additional $250 of donated funds to continue her dental treatment and receive a follow-up checkup. Continued access to care is helping her make steady progress toward improved oral health, increased confidence, and enhanced overall well-being. $250 Endodontic practice

 Welcome Home Military Heroes – Executive Director Cheryl Tolan

• Veteran needed gas card to be able to get to work and doctors appts $100

• Female Navy Veteran was placed in housing; needed food, kitchen supplies, towels and bedding $100

Martha’s Place – Tony Huffacker. Supervisor

• Bicycle and tools for assembling for 5-year-old Nipomo:  Single mother with children ages 5,8 & 12.  Helps with emotional regulation and executive functioning $215.19 plus $16.95 Total $232.14

Healing Heroes through Horsemanship Yvette d’Unienville

• Remaining payments for Veteran who graduated Treatment Court on May 23. Needed SR22 insurance $177.53

• Enrollment in 18-month DUI class to obtain his driver's license again. $143

Mujeres de Accion –  Yessenia Echevarria – President and Founder

• Renewal fees for DACA Recipient $550

• Food for migrant families in Arroyo Grande for groceries and food baskets $450

HOW TO DONATE

You can click on our donate button: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-south-slo-county-womenade or You can write a check to our full legal name: South SLO County Womenade and mail to: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.

We are transitioning to "zeffy" throughout 2026, and we are still working through the "how to" for things like receipts, Thank You acknowledgements for your donations. If you have a question about any donation you made and are missing a receipt, please email us at sslocwomenade@gmail.com.

email: sslocwomenade@gmail.com

website: sslocw.org

EIN# 27-0809744

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