SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Many families throughout San Diego County are struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic, making the otherwise cheery holiday season less than ideal.
Despite hard economic times, many throughout the region are finding ways to give back in 2020.
Although volunteering may look different this year, there are plenty of opportunities to help out, from donating to food banks to fostering an animal.
Feeding San Diego
Not only can you donate to help feed families, students, and seniors in need through Feeding San Diego, but your help also keeps the group's food distributions running and supports mobile pantries.
And with ABC 10News, you can help us provide millions of meals to San Diegans during our Month of a Million Meals through Dec. 31. Last year, the campaign raised more than 5.1 million meals. Learn how you can help here.
The San Diego Food Bank has more than doubled the number of people it’s providing food assistance to during COVID-19. From mid-March through October, the organization distributed more than 37 million pounds of food. The food bank says all volunteer shifts have been booked through the fall, but you can still sign up to volunteer at a later date here. You can also donate money. The organization says for every $1 given, 5 meals can be provided.
Help support Father Joe's Villages and provide aid to individuals battling homelessness in San Diego. Donations can help provide housing, meals, health care, and education to those in need locally.
Anyone interested can donate money, goods, a vehicle, or their time to help. Learn more about how to help.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without the famous Red Kettles. However, this year, the organization is taking its campaign online. With a few mouse clicks, you can help the Salvation Army support bill assistance, homeless shelters, and food pantries across San Diego. To donate to the Red Kettle Campaign online here.
And despite the pandemic, The Salvation Army is asking volunteers to answer the call and become a Christmas Kettle Bell Ringer. Click here to sign up.
The Humane Society has temporarily suspended its volunteer recruitment and onboarding due to the coronavirus, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give back. The organization is still accepting donations. Donations will help the group provide medical care, shelter, and food to homeless animals.
Of course, pet adoptions are still running this season as well. You can also sign up to foster a pet. Visit the humane society's website to learn how to adopt or foster a pet, or donate.
You can also help the Red Cross San Diego's humanitarian and disaster relief efforts for those in need. Donations with help support safe shelters, hot meals, care, and comfort for people who have lost everything to a disaster.
The Red Cross is also supporting the critical need for blood during this time. Click here to learn how you can donate blood.
The San Diego Blood Bank is in need of volunteers to donate blood, especially during the holiday season. The bank aims to collect more than 350 units of blood each day in order to meet the needs of local patients who are battling life-threatening conditions. One pint of blood can save up to three lives. You can sign up for an appointment here.
