(If you’re looking for information about how the fires have affected our Sunday gatherings, you can find those details here.)

As we continue to pray for relief from the many ongoing fires, many who are not directly impacted are asking: what can we do? While thus instinct to immediately go out and help is noble and good, we also need to recognize that there are unfortunately limited capacities to tangibly do anything large-scale at this moment. The time to mobilize and rebuild will come, but flooding resource or evacuation centers with excessive volunteers may actually detract from the capacity of work being done.

With that all said…as we grieve and lament alongside our city, there are several current helpful opportunities to meet needs:

1. Open Your Home or Find Temporary Housing

HOST OTHERS IN YOUR HOME

This is a time to open our doors in hospitality to our neighbors. Not all of us are in a place or situation to do so, but those who can bring others into their homes for short-term relief can fill out this form to let us know your location and capacity. You will be contacted by one of our elders if someone reaches out looking for temporary housing.

FIND TEMPORARY HOUSING

If your home is no longer accessible, you’ve been displaced or evacuated, or your home is no longer standing, please fill out this short form and we will seek to connect you with a member of our church who can provide short-term temporary housing for you.

There are also evacuation centers around the city and Airbnb is offering temporary housing to those impacted by the fires.

2. Ways to Support Financially

We have created a Fire Relief Fund where people can give financially to support immediate and long-term needs. 100% of donations will be 1) directly shared with those in our community we know to have been affect by the fires and 2) evenly distributed to organizations meeting immediate needs in the city. The organizations to which we’re currently contributing are:

• Convoy of Hope (relief supplies)

• LAFD Emergency Funding (first responder support)

• Salvation Army (relief support)

• World Central Kitchen (food/meals)

You can also give directly to these partners using the links above.

3. Meet Tangible Needs

This will be an ever-evolving list as we become more aware of needs and opportunities. Please email missions@realityla.com if you have practical and helpful opportunities to add to the list.

GIVE/REQUEST IMMEDIATELY-NEEDED ITEMS

Many people in our church have lost everything and need immediate items today—especially items for babies and small children. You can use this spreadsheet to give such items directly to others in our church in lieu of donating items to a reputable local resource center. Those in need can also directly request items through the spreadsheet.

• Click here to list clothing, non-perishable food, or baby/toddler items you are able to give.

• Click here to request any of these items.

DONATE ITEMS TO REPUTABLE LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

Aveson Charter School: Drop off items for families whose school and homes were destroyed in the Eaton Fire. Clothes, socks, school supplies, books, games, pots, pans, grocery gift cards, cutlery, plates, cups, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and feminine hygiene products can be dropped off at 3017 Oakhurst Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90034. Contact (916) 532-8031 for more information.

Dream Center: Donate specific food items, diapers, hygiene products, and non-perishables. Learn more here.

Serve LA: Donate water bottles, N95 masks, and new adult underwear for the unhoused community during the fires. Drop off at our Sunday gatherings or 10AM-5PM Monday-Friday at 4093 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

YMCA: Local YMCA centers are collecting supplies and providing resources to their communities. Learn more here.

VOLUNTEER

Dream Center: Volunteer to sort donations, prep meals, make hygiene packs, and more. Email volunteers@dreamcenter.org to sign up.

Clergy Community Coalition and the Faith Collaborative (CCC) Eaton Fire Relief. The CCC are in need of volunteers to support relief efforts across the region. Please sign up to lend a hand. You may be asked to help various organizations in the area as opportunities come available.

The Red Cross: Complete training to become a volunteer as a Disaster Action Team Volunteer or Shelter Volunteer. Learn more here.

Union Rescue Mission: URM will be providing meals, resources, and supplies to first responders and people affected by the fires. Sign up to serve through their volunteer portal here.

Habitat for Humanity: Sign up to volunteer with wildfire relief efforts—they’ll keep you updated on specific opportunities as they arise. The sign up form is here.

Project Angel Food: Volunteers are needed to make deliveries and help in the kitchen over the next several days. Please call (323) 845-1816 or email volunteers@angelfood.org to volunteer.

You can also use this link to access a list of in-person volunteer opportunities, or use this link to access an addition list of resources, donations, and volunteer opportunities compiled by Mutual Aid LA. We have no input regarding what’s added to either of these lists and cannot directly vouch for all the organizations, but it does provide a significantly more comprehensive view of ways to meet needs in the city. Use wisdom and ensure you are engaging in ethical support that is safe and supporting direct needs. 

If you are in need or you know anyone else in our church family in need in ways not listed above, please let us know by emailing missions@realityla.com.