This holiday season, many Coachella Valley residents could benefit from a little extra help—whether it’s extra pet food, canned goods, clothes, or even blood. With that in mind, The Desert Sun has compiled a list of local nonprofits and what they need, other than financial donations.
Helping the elderly during the holidays
The Maisel Center, which has senior support programs in Palm Springs and the rest of the Coachella Valley, is giving holiday gift bags to 300 homegrown seniors this year. The deadline to donate is Friday.
Items required (no travel sized items):
- shampoo
- body lotion
- toothpaste
- Deodorant
- toilet paper
- air conditioner
- soap bars
- Toothbrushes
- stockings
To donate: Items can be delivered at the Meisel Center at 480 S.
In Palm Desert, the Joslin Center is holding a “Supply to Thrive by Car” through Monday, December 6, and will also provide goods for seniors staying at home.
In addition to the items requested by the Maisel Center, the Jocelyn Center also requests:
- Paper products (tissues, paper towels, coffee filters)
- Puzzle books, jigsaw puzzles, books to read
- scented candles
- Laundry and dish soap
- Disposable plates, cups and utensils
- Trash bags
- Bulbs and batteries
- Stamps, envelopes and greeting cards
- household cleaners
- Dental Care Supplies
- nail kits
- Lip balm, hand lotion, and hand sanitizer
- Cologne or aftershave
- Hair brushes and combs
- big screen calculators
- Matches and toothpicks
- Notebooks
- torches
All items must be unused, full size, sealed and individually packed.
To donate: Drop things off at the Joslyn Center reception desk. The center is located at 73750 Catalina Way in Palm Desert and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Melanie at 760-340-3220 ext. 102 or MelanieL@joslyncenter.org.
medical supplies
Cathedral City Senior Center has a year-round Medi Closet that provides borrowed medical and mobility supplies to the community. New or gently used items are accepted on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Senior Center, 37171 W. Buddy Rogers Ave. in Cathedral City.
Frequently requested items include adult diapers and pads, insurance and scooters. For more information, call 760-321-1548.
1st Center also accepts canned and packaged foods in its pantry. Items may be delivered between 9 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday.
Shop for a cause:A non-profit organization opens a thrift store to help provide affordable home services to seniors
more:A Guide to Saving in the Coachella Valley
Peanut butter, canned goods and other foodstuffs
Find the Food Bank, Center Community Food Bank, and Coachella Valley Rescue Mission Helping feed Coachella Valley residents year-round, so they accept donations year-round, too.
All three nonprofits need canned goods, including tuna, chicken, and vegetables; packaged and packaged beans, pasta and rice; Cereals, oatmeal, nuts and seeds. And canned fruits.
FIND Food Bank encourages the donation of healthy foods – items that are low in sodium, sugar, low in fat, fat-free, unsalted, and/or have no added salt and sugar.
To donate: Hand donations to FIND’s administrative office and warehouse at 83775 Citrus Ave. in Indio. Hours of Operation 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Ring the doorbell when you arrive.
The center’s community food bank also orders macaroni, cheese, ramen, biscuits, protein, granola bars, pasta sauce, and cat and dog food.
To donate: Deliver donations on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and noon or between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday evenings at the Center, 610 S. Belardo Rd. in Palm Springs. For self-service, an off-center street-collection barrel is also available.
In addition to the above, the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission accepts cold-pressed dairy products and fresh meat. His needs include:
- Butter, milk, cream and sour cream
- Sugar and brown sugar
- Flour, pancake mix, oatmeal, dry cereal
- Cooking oil (vegetable, canola, corn, olive)
- Vinegar (red, white, balsamic)
- Syrup, jam and jelly, peanut butter, apple sauce jar and apple sauce cups
- Macaroni, Macaroni and Cheese
- Seasonings (mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, relish, sauce, coffee whitener)
- Canned goods (corn, peas, green beans, refried beans, pinto beans, mixed vegetables, chili, soup, enchiladas)
- Spices and herbs (salt, lemon pepper, garlic, paprika, rosemary, thyme, thyme, parsley, salt, pepper)
- Drinks (coffee, sports drinks, fruit juice, water)
- Fresh and canned meat (chicken, beef, pork, fish)
The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission also accepts household and hygiene items as well as clothing and other items.
- Cleaning supplies (bleach, laundry soap, floor cleaner, plastic gloves)
- barbecue bricks
- Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, face wash
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, mouthwash (non-alcoholic)
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- Razors and shaving cream
- Body lotion and cream
- Toilet paper, Q-tips, Kleenex
- diapers, baby wipes
- Baby food and milk
- children clothes
- Unused strollers and car seats
- Men’s and women’s clothing and shoes
- Over-the-counter medicines and cough drops
- office supplies
To donate: Drop donations between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily at the donation dock at 47470 Van Buren Street in Indio, or after hours at the security office. For large donations, call 347-347-3512 ext. 300 to arrange a pickup.
The Well in the Desert, which focuses much of its efforts on helping those experiencing homelessness, also feeds the residents of the Coachella Valley year-round. However, her “wish list” is littered with toiletries and clothing. Items uniquely requested by the nonprofit organization include:
- sunblock cream
- blankets
- Backpacks
- air freshener
- eye drops
- sleeping bags
- shopping bags
- ziplock bags
To donate: Call the Well at 760-656-8905.
Related:Homeless people receive Thanksgiving meal at Palm Springs Church
Editorial:On Well in the Desert, Palm Springs doesn’t deliver on its promises
baby toys
Ben & Jerry’s and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department hold a driving game from 5-9 p.m. Friday at River Runway, 71-800 Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage. The games will be intended for disadvantaged children 12 years of age or younger.
To donate: Bring new, unboxed toys or sports equipment worth $10 or more to the event. In return, donors will get a free ice cream scoop.
Pet food and supplies
The center, which also accepts pet food, will present its annual Pet Food and Winter Social campaign on Monday, December 6. The event, called “PAWS n’ CLAUS,” will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge in Palm Springs, 849 N Palm Canyon Drive.
Guests can wear ugly clothes or jackets while on vacation.
Coachella Valley Cat Club and Guide Dogs of the Desert accept pet-related donations as well and each have their own “wish list” on Amazon.com. The Cat Club requires cat litter and cat food. Desert guide dogs ask for dog food, leashes, collars, trash bags, paper towels, kennels, and other items.
The Palm Springs Animal Shelter has an Amazon “Wish List” as well; However, their website also lists household items and pets that they usually need.
The sanctuary welcomes donations of new or gently used items such as:
- bath towels
- towels
- Small and medium blankets
- flat sheets
- Small office supplies (paper, pens, masking tape)
- Cat litter boxes (new or very clean)
- cat litter (new only)
- cat trees
- Dog and cat bowls
- leashes and collars (without straps)
- Puppy pads (new only)
- Pet food and treats (unopened and not expired), especially canned cat food from Friskies and Fancy Feast
- Pet toys (without tennis balls)
- kennels and carriers
- Pet beds (no extra large sizes)
- Pet Medications (Call Before Bringing)
Community blood donation campaigns
If you can’t donate goods, you can still help the community by donating something else: your blood.
LifeStream Blood Bank offers several blood donation campaigns, including:
- November 30: 73510 Fred Waring Drive in Palm Desert from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- December 2nd: Desert Water Agency at 1200 S. Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- December 3rd: Sky Valley Resort at 74-711 Dillon Rd. In Desert Hot Springs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Donors receive a LifeStream blanket (while it is finally soft) and a free microbody, including readings of blood pressure, pulse, cholesterol levels, iron level and temperature. All donors must wear a mask or face covering and undergo a COVID-19 symptom review before being accepted into the donor waiting area.
To make an appointment for these drives or at the LifeStream website, call 800-879-4484 or visit LStream.org.
Maria Sesteto covers aging issues in the Coachella Valley. She is also a member of Report on America Corps. Follow her on Twitter @RiaSestito, on Instagram @RiaSestito_Reporter, or email her at maria.sestito@desertsun.com.
