Westside Food Bank in Los Angeles serves Santa Monica, Venice, and Westwood. Volunteers help sort food and support holiday programs. Join th

The Westside Food Bank serves communities from Santa Monica to Venice and Westwood, reporting that holiday demand is among the highest of the year. Residents can support the organization by donating shelf-stable foods, contributing financially, or participating in group volunteering and sorting events. Financial donations allow staff to purchase fresh proteins and produce at lower costs than retail prices. While the Westside Food Bank focuses on food security, the broader West L.A. holiday season offers numerous opportunities to help. Nearby organizations like the St. Joseph Center in Venice need volunteers to assemble meal kits, sort clothing, and assist at distribution events for unhoused individuals and low-income families. They also request warm clothing, blankets, hygiene kits, and new unwrapped toys. The Santa Monica Police Activities League accepts new, unwrapped toys and welcomes volunteers for sorting and distributing gifts. Local outreach teams and faith-based groups are organizing winter supply drives for items such as socks, gloves, jackets, and hygiene products, with no prior experience required. Many nonprofits, including the Salvation Army Westwood and the Venice Family Clinic, host adopt-a-family programs and accept monetary contributions or toys for children's celebrations. Nonprofits recommend signing up early, as volunteer shifts fill quickly in December, though online donations and Amazon wishlists remain available options. Donations made after December continue to help families facing food insecurity, housing instability, or rising living costs.