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Hot Topics
Potluck Update
Next Potluck
Projects Update
Help and Items Needed
Update on Funds Received
Thanks to Donors
Where the Money Went

Hot Topics


April 25th Garage Sale for a Great Cause! 

Come check out an amazing garage sale hosted by one of our generous volunteers — or as she’s calling it, “Good Stuff Cheap!” You’ll find an incredible mix of treasures at unbeatable prices.

 Featured items include:• Antique glass & crystal• Original art• DJI Mavic Air drone• Camping gear• Durable medical equipment• Christmas décor• Mat cutter• Garmin for RVs• Ninja air fryer• Sous vide cooker• Smoker + other small kitchen appliances

 Even better? Every dollar raised will be donated to support South SLO County Womenade.

Date: Saturday, April 25Location: 1005 Robin Circle, Arroyo GrandeTime: 8 AM - 1:30 PM

Bring a friend, spread the word, and come score some amazing finds while supporting a cause that truly makes a difference in our community!



9th Annual Toiletries Drive

We are now about 2/3 of the way through our Toiletries Drive, and we have about 40% of the requested items donated so far. We've been reaching far and wide talking to neighbors and community groups. If you are part of the 40% we are very grateful to you! We may not meet all the needs, but we hope to help out some of our most needy clients in our community.  Please click on the links below - there's a sign up genius to purchase items on your own and to volunteer to help out (at the bottom of the list - still need lots of help) plus there's an Amazon wish list where you can shop from your computer!

 

To sign up to volunteer, there are spaces at the end of the Sign Up Genius. We need sorters, packers and especially drivers!

 

Sign Up Genius:

 

Amazon Wishlist:

 

Please drop off your items April 1 - April 30 at one of the following locations. 

 

Arroyo Grande

Neighbors General Store

119 E. Branch, Arroyo Grande

 

Nan Fowler

630 Cerro Vista Circle, Arroyo Grande

 

Avila Beach

Avila Bay Athletic Club

6699 Bay Laurel Pl, Avila Beach

 

Black Lake

Marilyn Mullany

640 Shelter Ridge, Nipomo

 

Cypress Ridge

FitForever Gym

1080 Cypress Ridge Parkway

 

Lola Zybura

2367 Brant St

 

Sue McCutcheon

2342 Willet Way

 

Trilogy

Judy Woo

1402 Vista Tesoro Place

 

Stacy Murphy

1975 Northwood Road

 

BJ Bushur

1410 Penelope Cr.

 

Grover Beach

Ann McDowell

1793 Farroll Road, Grover Beach


Potluck Update



Our potluck on April 17th was a fabulous event!  Just look at all those delicious desserts - there were desserts galore and 30 people in attendance.  We had many quilts for guests to bid on. There were 8 tables of guests, and we took the opportunity to ask each table to complete a questionnaire concerning what and how they would like us to structure our potlucks, how to broaden our reach to newcomers and who else we can serve in our community.  We received some terrific input and hope to implement some at future potlucks!


Next Potluck

Our next potluck will be hosted by Karen Kolba at the Toucan Terrace Clubhouse in Pismo Beach.  It will be on June 26th from 6 to 8PM!  Mark your calendars!  As always bring a dish to share, your place setting, a beverage and a check made out to South SLO County Womenade for $50 (more is always appreciated!)  We do have a stamper. An invitation through our new platform, Zeffy, will go out about 2 weeks before.  


Projects Updates

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



Both of our Laundry Pop-Ups in April were well attended.  Terri and Beth talked about how we rarely see people bringing in sheets to wash, but instead often see thick blankets. It’s a quiet but stark reminder of the economic reality many of the people we help are facing—some may be sleeping on floors or sofas, using a blanket as their only bedding. They did 63 loads of laundry.

 

The Laundry Pop-Up in Arroyo Grande had a surprise guest, Supervisor Jimmy Paulding.  He was attending a fundraiser in the parking lot. When we explained what the pop-up laundry is, he went out into the parking lot where the Kiwanis were doing a tri-tip fundraiser. Jimmy bought a $100 dinner for 4, returned and gave it to one of our clients, Maria.  I have never seen such a grateful person in my life. She was hugging everyone and must’ve said thank you at least 100 times. One man wouldn’t let us pay for his laundry and then gave us a donation and was so appreciative of Womenade. They did 69 loads of laundry.

 

Next Laundry Pop-Ups:

May 2, 2026  9 to 11am Launderia Laundre Mat 505 Orchard St. Nipomo

May 16, 2026 10 am to 12pm Laundromat, 119 S. 13th St., Grover Beach

Sign up to volunteer here:


Nipomo Food Distribution

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



The April distribution was on Tuesday April 14th.  We have changed locations and are now at Nipomo High School on the second Tuesday of each month from 4:30 to 6PM.  Mary Anne and Rosemary pre-planned the new location with the SLO Foodbank.  This included mapping the campus, walking the parking lot and designing the flow of traffic and set up of distribution areas.  We sent out notifications on social media, emails and phone calls.  The old site reminded parents that the site had changed to the high school.  The day was sunny and very windy.  The Foodbank brought staff to manage the new traffic pattern of weaving Disneyland style through the parking lot. They had a person at the former site to redirect them to the high school.  South SLO County Womenade had a larger than usual team who were ready to go!  We are happy to announce that it went off without a hitch!  400 families found us at the new location. - a warm sunny afternoon. 

 

We work with 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, May 12th  from 4:30 to 6:00 PM at Nipomo High School.


Help and Items Needed



Update on Funds Received

3/1/26 to 3/31/26               $33,180.98

1/1/26 TO 3/31/26             $53,105.60

2/1/2019 TO 12/31/25      $932,944.22


Thanks to March Donors


Adriana Flores Kuhn, Adrienne Vyse, Adrienne Vyse, Alicia Lara, Andrea Chavez, Andrea Chavez, Anita Giangreco, Anita Giangreco, Anita Shower, Ann Mathias, Ann McDowell, Ann Tompkins, Anna Currie, Anonymous (6), Ardie Heinrich, Barbara Crawford, Barbara Daugherty (2), Barbara Pena, Barbara Schwin, Barbara Woods, Beth Hirsch(2), Betty Skatoff (2), Beverly Bell (20), Candace Brown, Candace Guldeman, Carol J Chenot, Carol Morrison, Carolynne Chase, Cathy Anderson, Cheryl Briskey, Christina Demarest, Christina Demarest (2), Claudia Nicastro Batty (2), Claudia Westrum (4), Colleen Perez (2), Colleen Thompson (2), Connie Smidebush (2), Cory Gonzalez, Dana Robertson, Darlene Joseph, Debbie Nesset (2), Deborah Koerner,  Debra Jackson, Denise Wong (2), Diane Babcock (2), Donna Groman, Donna Shields (2), Dorothy Mauger (2), Elaine Stewart, Elizabeth Malinowski (2), Elizabeth Skatoff (2), Elizabeth Wilkes, Ellyn Goldstein, Fran Norris (3), Frances Tshudy, Frances Tshudy, Gail Edry, Gay Evison Groomes, GeeGee Southward, Geraldine Serbe, Gina Andrukaitis (2),  Gwen Agler (2), Gwen Bachman (3), Gwen Carton, Heidi Boatman, Helen Towers (2), Jackie Christopher, Jane Henley (3), Janis Packer, Jann Griffiths, Janne and William Foley, Jean Graham, Jean Leavitt, Jennie Lam-Nagata, Jessica Griffiths, Jessica Sholders, Joan Friessnig (2),  Joan Wagner (2), Joann and Stan Benson, Joann Glover, Josephine Reiss, Judith Freeman, Judith Stephens, Judy Woo (2), Julie Holland, Karen Durbin (2), Karen Floyd (2),  Karen Kolba(3), Karen Teffenhart (2), Katherine Johnston(2), Kathey Harris, Kathleen Burrow (2), Kathleen McDermott Livers, Kathleen Wright (2), Kathy Harris 2), Kim Fernandes (2), Kim Hayashi (2),  Kristin Heenan, Lauren Danowitz, Leatrice Osterloh, Leslie Conrad (2), Linda Busek, Linda Curry, Linda Hughes (2),  Linda Jung, Linda Smith, Lisa Murdoch, Lise Maisano, Liz Murray, Liz Wilkes, Lola Zybura, Loreen Huddleston (2, Lori Rangel, LuAnn Pitts, Lynda Burnsed, Lynn Heinrich, Lynn Sosalla, Lynn Sosalla (2), Marcella Gelman (2), Marilyn Mullany (3),  Marilyn Pritchard, Marilyn Stein Gray, Marjorie Rust, Mary De Jong, Mary Firestone, Mary Harsh (2), Mary Suzukawa, Maryse Bergeron, Michelle Israel, Michelle Moock (2), Monique , Muriel Machin (2), Myriam Biniskiewicz, Nanci Edwards (2), Nancy Babb, Nancy Kraus (2), Nancy Palmer (2), Nancy Terrell, Natalie Anderson, Natalie Daprile, Nellie Jorge, Nipomo Women Presbyterian Church, Olive and Mike Shu, Pat Weimers, Patti Ann Reed (2), Patty Wiemers, Peggy Cotter, Peggy Thompson, Peggy Ziemann, Phyllis Sims, Priscilla Smith Dym, Rachel DeYoung, Rachel Hazen, Rane Aguilar, Richard DeYoung, Rita Rice (2), Roberta Hickman, Robin Parker, Robin Schneider (2), Rosemary Cleaves (2), Sandra Richardson,  Sarah De Young (2), Sharon Adams, Sharon Coors (2), Sharon Thacker, Sheila and Richard Semana, Sheri Gordon, St. Barnabas Thrift Shop, Stephanie Armiger (2), Stephanie Armiger, Sue Girard, Susan Josephson, Susan McCutcheon, Susan Zweig (2), , Suzanne Davidson, Sylvia Kekuna (2), , Tammy David (2), , Teresa Zielinski (2), , Theresa Clephan (2), , Tina Ribeiro, Valerie Spierling (2), , Vera Romero, Vicki Fesler, Vicky Sady, Wanda Cook, Wendy Castleman, William Foley



Where the Money Went


Casa Solana – Renée Poirier – Executive Director

  • Casa Solana provided a gift bed to a woman in her 30s who was struggling with substance use. She was the victim of domestic violence and lost her home, and her children are in foster care.  Casa Solana was able to help her get signed up with drug & alcohol services, and she has been able to have contact with her children.   $800 gift bed

 Nipomo Family Resource Center – Advocate Yuliana Molina

  • Grandma caring for 4 school aged grandkids. Parents live out of state. Grandma is struggling financially to care for them- needs support with gas bill this month. $306.91 So. Cal Gas

  • Single mom of 2 school aged kids. Requesting financial support with utilities to get her back on track. $149.32 So Cal Sanitary Services

  • Family with multiple health issues. Mom has multiple health conditions and is disabled. Dad is the only one working part time. They need help with auto repairs. $321.40 Rojas Auto Mechanic

  • Single mom of 3 school age kids. Survivor of intimate partner violence. She works part time cleaning homes when kids are at school. Behind on gas bill and at risk of having it shut off. $500 So Cal Gas

  • Student has an injury that makes it difficult to ride a bike. Student has agreed to use e-scooter to get to school and improve attendance. $173.99 Amazon

Oceano Family Resource Center – Advocate Stella Medina

  • Single mother left DV situation. Working on getting back on her feet and is behind on paying her bills. Family needs support with PG&E bill that is past due. At risk of being shut off $400 PG&E

  • Family had a significant loss of income due to rain/storms in Feb. Family needs support with water bill, at risk of having it shut off. $239.40 City of Arroyo Grande

  • Family experiencing loss of income due to older son moving out and daughter receiving less income due to slow season.  Short on rent for April. $400 California West

  • Single mother of 3, working in the fields, has opportunity to certify for a low-income apartment through Cleaver&Clark Commons, needs $300 by tomorrow for a refundable deposit. Family lived at 40 Prado for over a year. $300 Duncan Group

Arroyo Grande Family Resource Center – Cinthyia Ortiz-Corona

  • Family of 5 chronically homeless, living in RV. Family needs support with extending USPS mailbox in order to receive their bills/mail in a timely manner. $96 USPS

  • Family of 3 on single SSI income. Requested support with purchase of supplies/personal hygiene products. $30.61 Amazon

  • Single mother relocating to be closer to family support, daughter with special needs has a medical wheelchair. Mom requested support with transport & Shipping fees. $333.65 Pirate Shipping

  • Single mother had a relative steal from her which has impacted her ability to pay rent this month. Requesting support with a portion of the rent. $500 Mid State Properties

  • Family on a limited income and struggling with homelessness. Requested support with underwear and socks for the kids. $38.51 Amazon

  • Single mother with 2 young children on very limited income. Currently unhoused. Mom needs support with paying for camping fees for several nights. $465.56 San Luis Obispo County

  • Family of 5 struggling to get to reoccurring medical appointments in SLO. Requested support with purchase of bus pass to ensure transportation. $68 SLO RTA

Nutrition Team – Mary Anne Morgan leader

  • Food for the Lopez High School Food Pantry $24 SLO Foodbank

5 Cities Homeless Coalition – Devon McQuade Executive Director

  • Client currently experiencing homelessness lost the key to her e-bike and it is currently her only mode of transportation. She requested assistance getting a new key made. $26.32

  • Client is currently experiencing homelessness and has been looking for employment. He has prior experience working in restaurants and needs to renew his Food Handler's and ABC Certifications to apply for jobs. He requested assistance with the cost of the courses. $26.99

  • Client has been living at 5CHC shelter and was recently approved for housing. She requested assistance with deposit, rent, and some household move-in items. 5CHC was able to use Womenade funds for the items that were not covered by other funding sources. Client recently graduated from Southern New Hampshire University and is completely debt-free. $205.83

  • Client is currently homeless and moved into 5CHC shelter last month. She had been driving recently and was pulled over and discovered her Driver's License had expired. The officer gave her a fix-it ticket, however, client does not currently have any income and requested assistance with the cost of renewing her DL so she did not get a ticket. Client is actively working with her case manager on employment opportunities to increase her income while she is living at the shelter, $46.92 DMV License renewal

 

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

In Nipomo

  • The March 7th Laundry Pop-Up was another great success. They did 69 loads of laundry.  We talked about how we rarely see people bringing in sheets to wash, but instead often see thick blankets. It’s a quiet but stark reminder of the economic reality many of the people we help are facing—some may be sleeping on floors or sofas, using a blanket as their only bedding. 63 loads $230.75

In Arroyo Grande

  • March 21st we helped a young couple and their infant who recently moved out of their parents' home. They were grateful for our assistance and positive laundry experience. We assisted a single mother of five children who shared that she usually spends $40-45 weekly on laundry expenses. She and her daughters expressed gratitude to South SLO County Womenade  $236.25

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

  • Refill Wolf Market Store - Positive Behavior Student Incentives. Mini Takis, Cheetos, Capri sun, Arizona ice tea, extra sugar free gum, sketch art pencil kit, blank sketch journal, slime, colored pencils, cup noodles, fidget cube, uno, uno flip $187.44

Lopez High School Wolf Den – Heidi Boatman

  • Clothing needs and laundry supplies for students - $58.54

  • Toiletries and reusable Water Bottles $104.03

Lucia Mar Adult Education – Kristin Anderson, Principal

  • No expenses

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

  • Unaccompanied youth has been supporting himself, student lost his mom a couple of years ago, and his father left him to live out of state. Student wants to change his life from that of his parents and plans to go to San Jose State University. Needed support with some of his initial fees to get started. $543 San Jose State University housing and enrollment fee

  • Single mom and her son have been fighting homelessness, and the family has received great news that they got an apartment. Mom is disabled and has been fighting for her disability payments, making them struggle with their financials. Student has been sleeping on the floor of their new apartment and needed support with his sleeping arrangement. $292.77 Bed frame and mattress

  • Student has the opportunity to attend science camp for the first time. An experience he has never been able to be provided with. School site reached out for assistance with getting him required items for the trip. Family has been struggling and wanted to cancel, but the school site advocated for them. $40.71 Glasses, duffel bag and flashlight

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

  • No expenses

County Nurses – Meryl Castro – County Nurse Supervisor

  • Diapers $56.77

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

  • Rocky is the client’s last connection to her mom. When his health took a serious turn, they were living in her car and had tried staying at a local shelter in SLO, but she did not feel safe there. A little backstory: She left her job to care for her mother, who had MS. After her mom passed away, the house was sold, leaving her without a job or a place to live. Since then, it has just been the two of them, relying on each other. Over the past several months, C.A.R.E.4Paws has helped with Rocky’s urgent and ongoing veterinary needs. He was diagnosed with Valley Fever, and his condition was severe. His x-rays showed extensive infection in his bones and lungs, and he was so malnourished that we were not sure he would survive. With consistent care, Rocky has made meaningful progress. He has reached a healthy weight, and his Valley Fever is improving. He now takes daily antifungal medication and continues to need regular lab work to monitor his condition. More recently, C.A.R.E.4Paws coordinated with 5CHC to help the client and Rocky find safety and more stable housing. Womenade funding played an important role in helping us support this special pair.  $240.80 Monarch Dunes

  • The client and her dog, Snowball, are currently unhoused in the Grover Beach area. When Snowball developed a concerning eye infection, it was important that she be seen as quickly as possible. There was also concern about a possible embedded foxtail. Fortunately, Snowball’s eye was not injured, she only needed medication to treat the infection. For many families in situations like Tammy’s, there are very limited options when a pet needs urgent care. C.A.R.E.4Paws works to provide support and assistance during these critical moments, helping ensure pets like Snowball do not suffer. Womenade funding helps make this possible by helping us provide a safety net for pet families in need. $126.40 Monarch Dunes

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

  • Client is in need of cleaning supplies, currently going through roach treatment and needs follow up cleaning equipment to pass inspections and does not have the funds to meet their home needs. $92.99

  • Client is in need of a router for internet usage, as they are starting a new chapter in her life and this assistance would help tremendously. $32.45 Walmart

  • Cleaning supplies needed for treatment for her unit. Bins, trash bags needed for pest treatment in unit $54.54

  • 2nd resident needs cleaning supplies for pest treatment for apartment unit. Client is in need of bins and trash bags $36.54 Walmart

Transitions Mental Health -Tricia Ochoa

  • No expense

Hearst Cancer Research Center – Julie Neiggemann and Ashley Hahn

  • No expenses

 Family Care Network – Lupita Ducharme

  • Provided a new phone, startup plan, and protective case for a single mother who recently escaped domestic violence. Having a safe, independent phone, no longer tied to her abuser, has given her a renewed sense of security and control. With stable employment, she is now able to maintain the phone plan on her own, supporting her continued path toward independence. $145.15 Cricket

  • Your support helped provide a refrigerator for a newly housed family who could not afford one on their own. Without proper refrigeration, they were struggling to safely store food for their children. Because of your generosity, they can now keep food fresh and provide consistent, healthy meals at home. $600 Costco

Welcome Home Military Heroes – Executive Director Cheryl Tolan

  • No expenses

Martha’s Place – Tony Huffacker. Supervisor

  • No expenses

Child Advocacy Center – Anthony Huffaker

  • Gas card for a survivor to get to her court hearing appointments. $100

  • Purchased new car tire for a domestic violence survivor. Boyfriend slashed her tire. $227.96



HOW TO DONATE

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 or go to our website sslocw.org


Our website is: sslocw.org

Our EIN# 27-0809744

 
 
 

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