Where to start... the past 8 days have been a combination of Deja Vu and WTF here in Sonoma County. From a school shooting, to numerous power outages (many still without power today... hi, right here), a few small earthquakes, mandatory evacuations and a 76,000 + acre wild fire, it's been bonkers. Thankfully with the dedication and hard work from all the First Responders many communities continue to be spared from the fire. And while they are working hard, the Wine Country community has come together to support one another through shelter, food, and support.
How to help:
Looking for ways to help during and after the Kincade Fire? Here are just a few organizations providing support to our local community.
Sonoma Family Meal - Born in the darkest hours of the October 2017 wildfires in Sonoma County, food writer Heather Irwin rallied top chefs from the Bay Area to donate prepared meals to families who had lost homes, were without power for days, or who had been displaced by the fires. Click here to donate or volunteer.
Redwood Empire Food Bank - The Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization serving north coastal California from Sonoma County to the Oregon border. Since 1987, the REFB has been helping our community through 11 innovative programs under three strategic initiatives – Every Child, Every Day, Senior Security and the Neighborhood Hunger Network. We respond to the immediate needs of people seeking help through the provision of healthy food and nutrition education. We pursue long-term solutions to food insecurity through public policy and the development of partnerships with civic, faith-based, corporate and government organizations and, most importantly, individuals in our community. Ways to give, click here.
World Central Kitchen - When disaster strikes, WCK’s Chef Relief Team steps out of the kitchen and on to the front lines to provide meals to those in need. “Food First Responders” serving millions of meals each year. Click here to volunteer.
Corazon Healdsburg - Our mission is to bridge the racial and economic divide in Northern Sonoma County. Corazón offers programs to improve health and wellbeing for all who live and work in our area through innovative partnerships and community driven programming. Working with youth and their families, Corazón aims to break cycles of poverty and improve quality of life for those we serve. Click here to donate to their Unity & Community Fund.
Sonoma County Resilience Fund - Our Sonoma County Resilience Fund stands at the ready to support long-term recovery efforts. First established in 2017 to support recovery efforts from the North Bay Firestorm, our fund continues to be a source of long-term aid for Sonoma County. Click here to donate today.
Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation - First established in response to the Russian River flood this part February. The fund serves to assist any workers who are employed by a farmer, rancher or an agricultural employer in Sonoma County. Assistance from the fund will be distributed in the form of Visa gift cards to purchase new household items, food and supplies and to help pay utilities. In the event there is a need for temporary or new housing, funds may also be paid by the Foundation directly to landlords for rent. Click here to donate.
Sonoma County Farm Bureau - To represent, protect and advance the social, economic and educational interests of the farmers and ranchers of Sonoma County. Consider donating to the Wildfire Livestock Relief Fund.
Other ways to help:
Continue to visit Wine Country, we are here and we are open for business
Support locally owned and operated restaurants, grocers, wineries, farm, ranches, etc.
Give directly to those effected
Donate clothes and other household goods - we regularly donate to Sutter Hospice Thrift Store on Lewis Road in Santa Rosa. But there are many different organizations you can donate to.
Sign up at the Volunteer Portal of Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership and Volunteer Center of Sonoma County to register for ongoing volunteer opportunities.
Sonoma Strong - Love Poppy & Vine