As the holiday season approaches, local organizations are launching drives to support families, children, seniors and pets in need. From food pantries to toy collections, these opportunities allow residents to give back from their abundance and strengthen community bonds through neighborly generosity.
Food Assistance
Coldwell Banker Realty is collecting non-perishable items for their food pantry to support local families.
Drop-off: Through Nov. 20 at Coldwell Banker Realty, 6809 Brockton Ave.
Distribution: Nov. 22 at 8 a.m. (drive-through event)
Needed items: Canned fruits, vegetables and soup; oatmeal; rice; granola bars; crackers; nuts; honey; peanut butter; dried pasta; mac and cheese; dried fruit; flour; baby food and formula
Friendsgiving & Donation Drive
Community potluck and donation collection supporting neighbors in need.
Date: Nov. 23 at 3 p.m.
Location: Farmhouse Collective, 1393 University Ave.
Bring: Store-bought or homemade dish to share (sides, mains, desserts or drinks)
Donation items needed:
Canned foods: Soups, vegetables, fruits, beans, chili, tuna, chicken
Essentials: Blankets, socks, sweaters, soap, lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste, antibacterial wipes
Guardian Angel Program
Riverside Meals on Wheels invites community members to become Guardian Angels, supporting meal preparation and delivery to homebound seniors and disabled neighbors.
Donation options: One-time or monthly gift
How it helps: Provides vital resources to ensure homebound seniors receive nutritious meals
Monthly giving: Credit card automatically charged for chosen amount; can be changed or canceled anytime
More information: riversidemow.org/guardian-angel
Nourish Lives Now Food Drive
Path of Life joins Inland SoCal United Way's effort to replenish food banks struggling to meet demand.
Drop-off: Path of Life offices, 1240 Palmyrita Ave., Suite A
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Contact: (951) 786-9048
Shelf-stable, non-expired items needed: Cereal, peanut butter, beans (canned and dry), enriched rice and pasta, powdered milk, shelf-stable fruit juice, canned soup, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned meat and fish, canned ready-to-eat meals, canned tomato products, granola bars, trail mix, instant soup cups, beef jerky, applesauce cups, peanut butter crackers
Larger donations or grocery gift cards: Contact Debbie Rose at drose@thepathoflife.com
Note: Gift cards help residents who cannot reach food banks due to work hours or transportation issues
Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino's fifth annual event invites teams to build festive trees from canned goods, followed by a community fair with activities and music.
Event: Dec. 13, noon to 2 p.m.
Team build: 9 to 11 a.m.
Participation options: Adopt a Tree ($750), Buy & Build ($650), Buy a Can ($5), or Collect & Build (host your own drive)
Sponsorship deadline: Nov. 21
More information: feedingamericaie.org/cantree
Toys and Gifts for Children
ABC7 Spark of Love Toy Drive
Fire Department partners with ABC7 to collect new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment for underserved children and teens ages 0-17.
Drop-off: Nov. 10 through Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Locations: Any City fire station, Cesar Chavez Community Center (2060 University Ave.), or other city community centers
Note: If firefighters are away responding to calls, take donations directly to Cesar Chavez Community Center or another community center rather than leaving them outside the station
Fire station locations:
- Station 1: 3401 University Ave.
- Station 2: 9450 Andrew St.
- Station 3: 6395 Riverside Ave.
- Station 4: 3510 Cranford Ave.
- Station 5: 5883 Arlington Ave.
- Station 6: 1077 Orange St.
- Station 7: 10191 Cypress Ave.
- Station 8: 11076 Hole Ave.
- Station 9: 6674 Alessandro Blvd.
- Station 10: 2590 Jefferson St.
- Station 11: 19595 Orange Terrace Parkway
- Station 12: 10692 Indiana Ave.
- Station 13: 6490 Sycamore Canyon Blvd.
- Station 14: 725 Central Ave.
Other ways to donate:
- Place a collection box at your business (within city limits)
- Donate to "Shop with a Firefighter" at givebutter.com/QOOpZX or make checks payable to RCFF (Riverside City Firefighters Foundation), a 501(c)(3) organization (Fed. Tax ID #46-1442468)
- Become a sponsor: Contact Gina Perez, Fire Public Education Coordinator, at gperez@riversideca.gov or (951) 826-5334
Holiday Toy Drive - Leto Financial Insurance Services
Leto Financial and TG Consulting host a community toy drive supporting Healing Hope for Humanity.
Date: Nov. 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 3233 Arlington Ave., Suite 105
Drop-off: New, unwrapped toys
Perks: Complimentary coffee, water, muffins and cookies; multi-gift card raffle with $450 in prizes (one raffle ticket per toy donated)
Contact: (833) 240-5129
The PICK group is gathering toys and gifts for Big Brothers Big Sisters youth ages 14-18.
Drop-off: Contact info@pickriverside.org
Financial donations: Available through website
Bonus: All donors entered to win a resume review with personalized feedback from TikTok's @jackiecaves "Your Friend in HR"
HOPE Collaborative provides toys, gifts and essentials to babies, children and teens in foster care.
Drop-off location: 21250 Box Springs Road, Suite 109, Moreno Valley
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ways to give:
- Shop Amazon Wishlist (ships directly to HOPE Collaborative)
- Drop off toys in person
- Financial donation
- Organize a drive at your school, workplace or community
Contact: (951) 686-3750 or HOPEcollab@fsaca.org
Website: hopecollaborative.org/hope-for-the-holidays
Support for Seniors
Janet Goeske Foundation's campaign supports senior programs and services through ornament donations that decorate their holiday tree.
Donation levels:
- $25-$100: Provides meals for seniors
- $100-$500: Supports wellness and fitness classes
- $500-$1,000: Provides program materials and supplies
- $1,000-$2,500: Supports facility enhancements
- $2,500-$5,000: Funds special events and community outreach
In-person donations: Janet Goeske Center, 5257 Sierra St. (choose ornament, make payment at front desk or place donation in red box by tree)
Mail donations: Make checks payable to Janet Goeske Foundation, 5257 Sierra St., Riverside 92504
Online donations: jgf4seniors.org/the-giving-tree
Note: Staff will place ornaments on tree for mailed and online donations
Community Essentials
Kind Moments Begin With You Giving Drive
Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation collects comfort items and care essentials for seniors, youth and unhoused neighbors in celebration of World Kindness Day.
Drop-off: Nov. 13 (World Kindness Day) through Dec. 5
Hours: Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (through Dec. 4)
Locations: Riverside Medical Clinic locations and RMCCF office, 7177 Brockton Ave., Suite 105
Needed items: Blankets, beanies, gloves, diapers, hygiene kits
Virtual giving: Cash donations and Amazon Wishlist available
Contact: (951) 682-2753
Pet Support
Holiday Donation Drive for Homeless Pets
Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center welcomes businesses, churches and community groups to host donation drives.
Drive period: Nov. 21 through Dec. 27
Center provides: 10 paper ornaments for Giving Tree or digital flyer with QR code to holiday wishlist
Drop-off: Pet Adoption Center during operating hours
No cost to participate
Contact: Marlene at fundraising@petsadoption.org
Community Events Supporting Local Causes
Condron Coffee's inaugural Thanksgiving morning run supports Olive Crest's work with vulnerable children and families.
Date: Nov. 27, 8 a.m.
Start location: Condron Coffee, 3696 Sunnyside Drive
Registration: Available on Eventbrite
Proceeds benefit: Olive Crest
Olive Crest's tagline "Strong Families, Safe Kids" reflects their comprehensive approach to preventing child abuse through counseling centers, preventative programs and life skills education. According to their 2025 data, the organization provided 120,129 safe days to local families, delivered 36,971 mental health hours and helped 18 children through their Prevention and Restoration of Minors in Sexual Exploitation (PROMISE) initiative.
For additional community events and volunteer opportunities, visit raincrossgazette.com/calendar
