The rules of the game of life have changed, maybe forever. COVID-19 has revealed to us weaknesses in the social fabric we either didn’t know about or refused to acknowledge.
Hunger and housing are the twin pillars of security in our society, and the pillars are deeply cracked. How we address those cracks in the long term remains to be seen. How we address them here and now is pretty simple: We have to give. And there’s no better time than the holiday season to dig deep.
What follows is an incomplete summary of some of the nonprofit agencies working to patch those cracks and what they need to continue their work. We don’t have the space to list them all, but these worthy organizations make up a good part of the firewall keeping collapse at bay.
Art Escape
17474 Sonoma Hwy, Sonoma 95476
(707) 938-5551 | artescapesonoma.com
mission: A dynamic environment where people of all ages can learn and create through a wide range of arts programs that focus on the diversity and creativity of Sonoma Valley. Has served 18,000 students in eight years.
needs: Cash donations via website. Sells myriad art supplies and art project kits to benefit programs.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley
Maxwell Farms Regional Park
100 West Verano Ave, Sonoma 95676
(707) 938-8544 | bgcsonoma.org
mission: Providing children and teens with a safe, positive environment to learn, grow and discover their full potential. Closed physically during COVID-19 pandemic, but offering numerous virtual resources, including Scholastic Learn at Home; Reading Adventure packs by Reading Rockets; 150+ enrichment activities while caregivers work remotely; Mystery Science from Sonoma Valley Unified School District; virtual college tours for teens.
needs: Cash donations for COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Friends in Sonoma Helping (F.I.S.H.)
18330 Sonoma Hwy, Sonoma 95476
P.O. Box 507, Sonoma 95476
(707) 996-0111 | friendsinsonomahelping.org
mission: Through community support and a large cadre of volunteers, F.I.S.H. provides food, clothing, transportation to medical appointments, medical equipment plus utility and rental assistance to Sonoma Valley residents in need.
needs: Cash donations (100 percent goes to services). Food donations; clothing donations; medical equipment donations; diapers; gasoline vouchers; meal vouchers; grocery gift cards.
Cancer Support Sonoma
246 Perkins Street, Sonoma 95476
(707) 509-3549 | cancersupportsonoma.org
mission: Offers integrative therapies to help ease the physical and emotional effects of conventional cancer treatments such as fatigue, nausea, depression and anxiety. Services are available on a sliding scale, including comprehensive integrative oncology care to those living with a cancer diagnosis, whether newly diagnosed, in treatment or well beyond. Accessible to all regardless of socioeconomic background, race, ethnicity or gender.
needs: Cash donations; hosting a “friend-raiser.” Visit the website for more.
La Luz Center
17560 Greger St, Sonoma 95476
(707) 938-5131 | laluzcenter.org
mission: La Luz Center is a social services agency focused on providing family services, economic advancement and community engagement for the largely Latino population of Sonoma Valley. Since the coronavirus pandemic began, La Luz has ensured that nearly 800 families have food and housing security, has connected unemployed workers with more than 200 jobs and has distributed personal protective equipment to some 5,000 individuals.
needs: Funding for COVID-related needs; personal preparedness backpacks; $35 a month will provide a family with food resources.
Redwood Empire Food Bank
3990 Brickway Blvd, Santa Rosa 95403
(707) 523-7900 | refb.org
mission: To end hunger by addressing the nutritional needs of children (“Every Child, Every Day”); by assuring that low-income seniors have consistent access to healthy, fresh food (“Senior Security”); by improving health and well-being with food and nutrition education (“Neighborhood Hunger Network”).
needs: REFB serves fresh food, groceries and meals to a minimum of 82,000 children, seniors and adults in Sonoma County. In April, that number jumped to 150,000. REFB also distributes more than nine million pounds of fresh produce, and prepares 4,500 home-cooked meals, among other things. All that requires a lot of money and a lot of volunteers. For every one dollar donated, four dollars of healthy food is donated. Volunteers do the work that would require 45 fulltime staff members every month. Give, volunteer and donate food.
Sebastiani Theatre Foundation
476 1st St E, Sonoma 95476
(707) 996-9756 | (707) 996-2020 (movie line) | sebastianitheatre.com
mission: The Sebastiani Theatre Foundation is dedicated to offering first-class performing arts, films and creative educational programs that inspire and entertain the entire community, while preserving and enhancing Sonoma’s treasured, historic Theatre for the enjoyment of current and future generations.
needs: Donations are needed for capital improvements to achieve ADA compliance and expand viewing, entertaining and meeting activities. Members of the public are also invited to sign up for Sebastiani movies at home, and pick up concession stand treats, like fresh popcorn and sodas for take-home consumption.
Sonoma Community Center
276 E Napa St, Sonoma 95476
(707) 938-4626 | sonomacommunitycenter.org
mission: The Sonoma Community Center is a nonprofit arts and education membership facility, as well as a cultural and architectural icon, housing one of he finest ceramics departments in the Bay Area, an ongoing variety of classes in visual, ceramic, performing and fiber arts and a gathering place to celebrate the countless qualities of Sonoma Valley.
needs: The Sonoma Community Center depends on grants, rents, fees and fundraising events for its revenue. Members receive discounts on Center activities, classes and events, and are important for sustaining the facility. Memberships are available online, as are other donor options.
Sonoma Overrnight Support
151 1st St W, Sonoma 95476
(707) 939-6777 | sonomaovernightsupport.org
mission: To shelter the homeless and feed the hungry in Sonoma and Sonoma Valley.
needs: Greatest need is money, followed by: Sleeping bags; gift cards for local fast food restaurants; hand warmers; foot warmers; gloves; underwear; long underwear; thermal layers; waterproof phone pouches; foot powder; rain ponchos and jackets. Donations can be delivered to The Haven between 12-3, Mon-Fri.
Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance
276 E Napa St, Sonoma 95476
(707) 938-1990 | sonomamentoring.org
mission: To recruit and train mentors in the Sonoma Valley Unified School District, and to match and support mentors with mentees to provide friendship and guidance that transforms lives.
needs: Cash donations; donors can purchase one-of-a-kind wine and food experiences to share with family and friends (see website); more mentor candidates to match with waiting list of mentees.
Teen Services Sonoma
17440 Sonoma Hwy, Sonoma 95476
(707) 939-1452 | teenservicessonoma.org
mission: Teen Services Sonoma engages and supports teens with work-readiness skills and experiences that empower them to succeed. Each year, more than 300 Sonoma Valley teens increase their skills and gain experience through Teen Services programs that engage and empower them to be ready for work.
needs: Teen Services depends on grants, donations and fundraising programs. The organization currently has a campaign goal of $100,000 by December 31, and is more than halfway there.
Vintage House Sonoma
264 1st St E, Sonoma 95476
(707) 996-0311 | vintagehouse.org
mission: Vintage House is a diverse and growing nonprofit membership-based organization dedicated to life-long learning, enhancing well-being and quality of life, and creating a place for connection, exploration, and belonging for Sonoma Valley residents. In 2019 Vintage House has served 2,000 individuals; provided 4,000 free rides; hosted 60+classes per week; provided no-cost lunches on Fridays to 100 weekly participants; was supported by over 300 volunteers.
needs: Money, memorial and legacy donations, appreciated assets; bequests; charitable gift annuities. To discuss legacy gifts and other donations, contact executive director Patricia Essert, patricia.call.essert@vintagehouse.org.
Pets Lifeline
21045 Broadway, Sonoma 95476
(707) 996-4577 | petslifeline.org
Sonoma Valley Education Foundation
17878 Railroad Ave, Sonoma 95476
(707) 935-9566 | svgreatschools.org
Sonoma Plein Air Foundation
19201 Sonoma Hwy, Suite 321, Sonoma 95476
sonomapleinair.com
KSVY Radio and TV
680 W. Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476
(707) 933-0808 | ksvy.org
Seeds Of Learning
470 1st St E, Sonoma 95476
(707) 939-0471 | seedsoflearning.org
Challenge Sonoma Ropes Course
Orchard Rd, Eldridge 95431
(707) 484-7759 | challengesonoma.org
Sonoma Valley Fawn Rescue
Maxwell Village Shopping Center
19201 Sonoma Hwy, Sonoma 95476
(707) 931-4550 | fawnrescue.org
Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation
347 Andrieux Street, Sonoma 95476
(707) 935-5070 | svhfoundation.com
Sonoma Valley Author’s Festival
P.O. Box 1447, Sonoma 95476
(707) 282-9028 | svauthorsfest.org
Transcendence Theatre Company
1151 Broadway STE 201, Sonoma 95476
(877) 424-1414 | transcendencetheatre.org
Sonoma Valley Museum of Art
551 Broadway, Sonoma 95476
(707) 939-7862 | svma.org
