san diego

2021 Holiday Resources

Abby H.2 Comments

I usually do these types of posts before Thanksgiving, but I’ve been looking for as many resources as possible to help those in need.

Much like last year, there aren’t a lot of free events, and most resources are stretched thin, as 2021 was as hard as 2020 for a lot of families.

The holidays are more than food and gifts, but no one should go hungry any time of year!

Here is my post with a list of food banks/pantries in San Diego. Many of the food pantries also have special holiday distributions, it is worth a call to find out of any additional food or gift distributions will be done.

As of now, I am not aware of any free Christmas tree giveaways, however, as I gather more information, I will update this post.

Toys for Joy will not be holding their annual event this year, instead, their site sends you to other resources such as The Rock Church for food, and The Salvation Army for other additional resources. The Salvation Army does an Angel Tree program to gather gifts for children in need. For more information about this program, contact your local Salvation Army location.

Sunday, December 19th, 2021 from 11am-2pm  is the annual H.O.P.E. event hosted by New Vision Church. Every child ages 0-11 will get a free toy! This is an all-free family fun event filled with free toys, carnival games and prizes, a live petting zoo, big bike giveaways, food, haircuts, jumpers, arts and crafts, live performances, DJ, and a whole lot more! The event will be held at both New Vision Church and Colina Del Sol Park and Recreation which is directly across the street. The entrance is at 5310 Orange Ave., San Diego, CA 92115.

Hope Leadership Academy is hosting an Event, Toys for Hope on December 18, 2021,9:00am – 1:00pm at the King Chavez School: 415 31st St. San Diego, CA 92102. Toys for Hope will be a walk-thru experience this year! Free toys for kids 13 and younger, free groceries, and bike raffles!

211 San Diego has a listing of all sorts of holiday assistance from food to toys, events- all free. Some programs/events require proof of need, but not all.

santeesantas.pngIf you live in Santee and need help with food and gifts for the holiday, contact Santee Santas. You can download and print forms, check into eligibility (it is income-based and they are very strict from what I’ve been told), and see what forms you need in addition to the application here.

The window to apply for Santee Santas is closing in just a few days, so if you want to apply, I recommend checking their website TODAY and apply ASAP.

Talk Back: If you know of any free local events, please leave a comment. 

Turkey and Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway 11/21/2021 Faith Chapel!

Abby H.

Our Friends at Faith Chapel in Spring Valley are at it again!

This Sunday, the annual Great Gobble Giveaway (GGG) takes place! They’re giving out 200 turkeys & Thanksgiving meals.

The Details:

  •  Registration begins at 8:00am in the main Faith Chapel lobby
  • First come first serve basis
  • While supplies lasts (200 registrants)
  • Must be present to register. You may not register persons who are not present.
  • Once registered, you’ll receive a voucher. Hold onto your voucher and turn it in when instructed to do so in order to receive your turkey and meal. No voucher = no turkey or meal.
  • They’re giving away 3, $100 gift cards during the 10:30am service and you must be present to win!
  • Instructions will be given during Faith Chapel’s 10:30am service. Plan to be in the service to hear the instructions and to win some giveaways.

For more information, or to learn more about all the great programs that Faith Chapel offers, including their upcoming December 6, 2021 Food Distribution, visit their website: www.faithchapelsd.com

Free Food Resources for November 2021 (San Diego County)

Abby H.

A new month means that it’s time for the monthly update of free food resources in San Diego.

With Thanksgiving later this month, make sure to check your local distributions or Food Banks to see if there is a turkey or ham giveaway. In the past, the Santee Food Bank has had a drawing for those who visit early on in the month to receive a voucher for a free turkey from the local Grocery Outlet.

With supply chain issues and truck driver shortages, many of last month’s distributions were mainly canned or shelf-stable goods. Fingers crossed that food banks will start receiving more fresh goods.

You can still find resources here for Central and East County, and Here for North County.

If you are located outside San Diego County, call 211. If you are not familiar with 211, here is their website and it can point you in the right direction.

San Diego Food Bank Distributions for November 2021 can be found here. Enter your address (or just your zip code) and the map will show you all of the distributions in your area or closest to you. You can filter by the days of the week to find food when you are available. If there is an income requirement/limit to participate, each location/listing will say such.

Neighbor distributions are intermixed with the San Diego Food Bank Distributions, however, they have no income requirements, and you come as you are. These Distributions are primarily fruits & veg, however, some locations may also distribute canned goods, dairy, and bread.

Super Pantry Locations can be found here (this listing is countywide). The San Diego Foodbank website also has resources for Diaper banks, free food resources for seniors, and more.

All kids in public school K-12 in the State of California are eligible for free breakfasts and lunches at school. More information can be found here. 

If you know of other resources, please leave a comment! And feel free to share this post with anyone you may know in need.

Consumer Research Project San Diego, CA Social Issues Online $150

Abby H.

I received this in y email over the weekend and thought I’d share it!

Focus Group Connection is looking for Men and Women to participate in an Online Consumer Research Project taking place from 6:40pm-9:00pm PST on Tuesday, October 26th on the topic of “Social Issues.” We will ask you to complete a technology check from 6:40pm-7:00pm and then participate in the group discussion from 7:00pm-9:00pm. As a thank you, you will receive $150.00 for your time and insights.
If you’re interested in participating, please click the link below to fill in the pre-screen.

San Diego, Ca Area Halloween Activities!

Abby H.2 Comments

It’s Spooky Season, which means it’s time for some local events!

Trunk or Treats, Halloween/Fall Carnivals, and other Halloween fun!

These events are just a few of the events going on in San Diego County. If you know of other events, please feel free to leave info in the comments.

 

  • Journey Church in La Mesa is hosting Journey Kids – Halloween Family Dance on 10/9/2021 from 5:30-7:00pm. RSVP here. 
  • If you live closer to downtown/Little Italy, check out Trick or Treat on India Street. This fun and safe Halloween event makes it possible for urban families to enjoy authentic trick-or-treating fun as Little Italy businesses along historic India Street open their doors to give out candy and Halloween treats. 10/27/2021 5:30-7:30pm.
  • HauntFest on Main is an exciting family-friendly event in Downtown El Cajon with a pumpkin patch, costume contest, kids zone, rides, entertainment, and more! 4pm-9pm on 10/29/2021

Faith Chapel in Spring Valley is hosting a Trunk or Treat event on Halloween 10/31/2021 6pm-8pm.

 

 

 

 

 

Free Food Resources for October 2021 (San Diego County)

Abby H.

A new month means that it’s time for the monthly update of free food resources in San Diego.

You can still find resources here for Central and East County, and Here for North County.

If you are located outside San Diego County, call 211. If you are not familiar with 211, here is their website and it can point you in the right direction.

San Diego Food Bank Distributions for October 2021 can be found here. Enter your address (or just your zip code) and the map will show you all of the distributions in your area or closest to you. You can filter by the days of the week to find food when you are available. If there is an income requirement/limit to participate, each location/listing will say such.

Neighbor distributions are intermixed with the San Diego Food Bank Distributions, however, they have no income requirements, and you come as you are. These Distributions are primarily fruits & veg, however, some locations may also distribute canned goods, dairy, and bread.

Super Pantry Locations can be found here (this listing is countywide). The San Diego Foodbank website also has resources for Diaper banks, free food resources for seniors, and more.

All kids in public school K-12 in the State of California are eligible for free breakfasts and lunches at school. More information can be found here. 

If you know of other resources, please leave a comment! And feel free to share this post with anyone you may know in need.

Women’s Clothing Swap at The Chapel at Grossmont (La Mesa, CA) 10/2/21

Abby H.

OMG, friends! There is a clothing swap coming up! I just learned about it last night, and I know that so many of you have missed these swaps.

The Chapel at Grossmont (Address: 5651 Water St, La Mesa, CA 91942)

Saturday, October 2,2021 12pm-3pm

SWAP & SHOP: It’s time to spring clean your wardrobe ladies! Bring your gently worn WOMEN’s CLOTHING *Max of 20 items

How it works:
Bring your gently used WOMEN’s CLOTHING, accessories, shoes, etc., and trade them for items you want to take home. No selling, no buying, just swapping. You simply drop your items on the front table and you can start taking shopping for items you want to take home for free!
If you don’t have anything that you want to share, but need new clothes (I know a lot of people in that boat) bring along $5 in lieu of bringing items to swap.
Items can include:
-Gently used or semi-new clothing pieces
-Gently used or semi-new shoes
-Jewelry pieces
-Accessories: scarfs, hats, purses, belts
-New or unopened scented candles, lotions, perfume sprays (i.e., Victoria Secrets or Bath & Body Works)
Come and drop all the items you want to swap and leave with items that will bring value to you.
Reminders:
* SHOP FOR YOU. NO LUGGAGE PLEASE. NOT FOR RESALE.
* Bring a bag to cart home all your finds
* Please bring clothing pieces on hangers or folded (not scrunched up in a big trash bag)
* Wear tights and a fitted blouse to easily try on clothes.
* All leftover items will be donated to a local charity.
Contact the coordinator if you would like leftover items. Arrange pickup with her. Event Coordinator: Raquel (619) 873-6016

This Saturday: San Diego All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair 9/25/2021!

Abby H.

We’ve gone to this event in the past, and it’s always a fun time with great resources.

FREE community event with activities, games, crafts, raffles, shopping, and resource booths for families of all abilities.

When: September 25, 2021 10:00AM-1:00PM

Where: Park de la Cruz Recreation Center 3901 Landis Street San Diego, CA 92105

Activity Booths • Giveaways • Games • Family Resources • Networking • Shopping & more

Children of all abilities can enjoy activity stations:

  • Play our adaptive Life-Size Candyland Game.
  • Wash a kid car and drive it through the FOAMO Car Wash and sensory station.
  • Make a ghost trap and receive a package of ectoplasm slime.
  • Spin the prize wheel for a prize* from the toy barrel. Everyone is a winner!
  • Stop by the ShopAble Marketplace to peruse and purchase fabulous products
  • and more!

Resource and service providers for children of all abilities will conveniently be onsite to speak with parents and offer helpful information.

All activities and resources are FREE and open to the public! To learn more or register, click here. 

Cartoon Network is Coming to the Children’s Discovery Museum!

Abby H.

I posted about Cartoonito earlier in the week. Look what popped into my email last night!

Sunday, September 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m.

Join Cartoonito at The Children’s Discovery Museum for a FREE pop-up event with Cartoon Network’s brand-new preschool-age programming, Cartoonito!

Gather your little ones and get ready for a day filled with creativity, laughter, learning, and fun! Throughout the event, you’ll enjoy:

  • Customizable backpacks,
  • Free school supplies,
  • An ice cream truck,
  • Arts and crafts activities,
  • Previews of Cartoonito programming,
  • And more!
Availability is limited. Save your spot today! And if you aren’t in San Diego, this tour will be all over the US in coming weekends!

San Diego Area: Do You Have a 5-6 Year Old Kiddo? Check out the Big Emotions Study

Abby H.

San Diego Parents, if you have a 5-6-year-old kiddo, The BIG Emotions Study seeks to learn about young children’s emotional development.

Those who participate will be compensated $20/hour.

The study is being held in the SDSU area of San Diego, CA.

Contact them for more info:
Website: tendlab.sdsu.edu
Email: bigemotions@sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-784-5543