Volunteers help people load bags of goods at a large donation site that has sprung up outside the Rose Bowl.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Where you can volunteer to help those affected by L.A.’s fires
- Share via
The Los Angeles County firestorm has caused devastation to communities in and around the Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, Sylmar and Hollywood. Those looking for a way to help will find an abundance of organizations and services in need of volunteers or resources.
Although situations and needs may change rapidly, the havoc caused by the blazes — more than 28,000 acres have been scorched and at least 2,000 homes, businesses and other buildings have been lost — requires immediate and long-term relief. The Times has compiled a list here of state, regional and local grassroots organizations in need of funds or supplies.
Here you will find an ongoing list of ways to assist via volunteering. This story will be updated as more organizations post their needs for support.
Note that due to the outpouring of support, not every group will still be in need of volunteers. One is advised to call or email the organization before showing up.
This guide is being updated. Check back for new volunteer opportunities.
This article is provided free of charge to help keep our community safe and supported during these devastating fires.
Showing Places
It's Bigger Than Us
Leimert Park Volunteer
What you’ll do: Transport resources, pack and distribute supplies. To volunteer, simply go to the It’s Bigger Than Us headquarters in Leimert Park.
When: The organization posts information about volunteering daily at itsbiggerthanusla.org/volunteer. Volunteers must register ahead of time.
Where: 4308 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles
Details: @itsbiggerthanus_ on Instagram and itsbiggerthanusla.org/volunteer
When: The organization posts information about volunteering daily at itsbiggerthanusla.org/volunteer. Volunteers must register ahead of time.
Where: 4308 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles
Details: @itsbiggerthanus_ on Instagram and itsbiggerthanusla.org/volunteer
Read All Read Less
Route Details
Pasadena Community Job Center
Pasadena Volunteer
What you’ll do: Help receive items, sort and distribute goods. They are also accepting donations — current needs include clothes (such as brand-new underwear), Ziploc bags to sort donations, feminine products, Tylenol, Advil, cough syrup (including for kids) and Pepto-Bismol.
When: Call the center to find out specific needs at (626) 440-0112.
Where: Pasadena Community Job Center, 500 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena
Details: @pasadenajobcenter on Instagram
When: Call the center to find out specific needs at (626) 440-0112.
Where: Pasadena Community Job Center, 500 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena
Details: @pasadenajobcenter on Instagram
Read All Read Less
Route Details
Collins & Katz Family YMCA
Sawtelle Volunteer
What you’ll do: Sort and organize donations (clothing, bedding, etc.) and put together care packages with hygiene products. The center is also looking for drivers to deliver resources to Pacific Palisades residents.
When: The center will be accepting volunteers through Monday at select hours. If you want to volunteer, call the branch at (310) 477-1511 to check if and what time they need help. All volunteers will be required to sign a liability form. The center is also accepting donations for nonperishable food, water, tote bags and hygiene products.
Where: 1466 S. Westgate Ave., Los Angeles
Details: ymcala.org/locations/collins-katz-family-ymca
When: The center will be accepting volunteers through Monday at select hours. If you want to volunteer, call the branch at (310) 477-1511 to check if and what time they need help. All volunteers will be required to sign a liability form. The center is also accepting donations for nonperishable food, water, tote bags and hygiene products.
Where: 1466 S. Westgate Ave., Los Angeles
Details: ymcala.org/locations/collins-katz-family-ymca
Read All Read Less
Route Details
Quirk
Downtown L.A. Volunteer
What you’ll do: Quirk is hosting a donation-based free clothing boutique, which they hope to fill with functional apparel that people will want to wear long term. Volunteers will organize and sort donated items. The store is also requesting for helpers to bring racks and hangers to display the clothing. Owner Melynda Choothesa is particularly seeking volunteers who work in the fashion industry or have experience working with thrifted and vintage clothing to assist with making the clothes look presentable. “They’ve already been through enough,” says Choothesa, adding that she wants the boutique to feel and look beautiful. “They don’t need to feel like they are some charity case.”
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until further notice.
Where: 112 W. 9th St. #200, Los Angeles, CA 90015
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until further notice.
Where: 112 W. 9th St. #200, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Read All Read Less
Route Details
Neighbors and Friends
Pasadena Volunteer
What you’ll do: Old Town Pasadena’s café and cheese shop has become a donation center and dropoff point as well as communal hub for those in need of a space to spend time. The location is seeking volunteers for a number of roles — but primarily to organize clothes and help wash dishes. Updates and needs are being posted on a Google spreadsheet.
When: Slots are available during the café’s morning and afternoon open hours, and are currently slated to run through Jan. 18.
Where: 88 E. Union St., Pasadena
Details: @weareneighborsandfriends on Instagram
When: Slots are available during the café’s morning and afternoon open hours, and are currently slated to run through Jan. 18.
Where: 88 E. Union St., Pasadena
Details: @weareneighborsandfriends on Instagram
Read All Read Less
Route Details
Hollywood Food Coalition
Hollywood Volunteer
What you’ll do: Prepare and serve meals to people experiencing homelessness or receive and distribute food to nonprofits affected by fires.
When: The dinner program takes place every day. Volunteers for receiving and distributing food to be distributed to other organizations are needed on weekdays.
Where: 5939 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles
Details: Volunteers must sign up online at this link: https://hofoco.org/volunteering-about/. The Hollywood Food Coalition cannot accept volunteers who have not signed up online.
When: The dinner program takes place every day. Volunteers for receiving and distributing food to be distributed to other organizations are needed on weekdays.
Where: 5939 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles
Details: Volunteers must sign up online at this link: https://hofoco.org/volunteering-about/. The Hollywood Food Coalition cannot accept volunteers who have not signed up online.
Read All Read Less
Route Details
Flintridge Center
Pasadena Community Center
What you’ll do: Sort and pass out donations. Donations needed include water, diapers, baby bottles, packaged snacks, masks, hygiene kits, blankets and pillows only.
When: Daily from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: 236 W. Mountain St., Pasadena
Details: For more information, contact Brandon Lamar at (626) 314-4256 or [email protected]
When: Daily from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: 236 W. Mountain St., Pasadena
Details: For more information, contact Brandon Lamar at (626) 314-4256 or [email protected]
Read All Read Less
Route Details
Ketchum-Downtown YMCA
Downtown L.A. Volunteer
What you’ll do: Downtown’s YMCA location is seeking volunteers to help unload, sort, organize and distribute donations on-site. They also need help delivering to affected YMCAs and local first responders. The organization is serving as a donation drop-off point and is need of undergarments, socks, paper towels, toilet paper, large boxes, bins, non-perishable food, laundry supplies, hygiene supplies, school supplies, power banks and phone chargers.
When: Ongoing. Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The YMCA will update its needs on its Instagram.
Where: 401 S Hope St., Los Angeles
Details: @ketchumdowntownymca YMCA on Instagram
When: Ongoing. Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The YMCA will update its needs on its Instagram.
Where: 401 S Hope St., Los Angeles
Details: @ketchumdowntownymca YMCA on Instagram
Read All Read Less
Route Details
Westchester Family YMCA
Westchester YMCA
What you’ll do: The Westchester Family YMCA needs drivers most days, and help setting up the Community Cares Volunteer Center. On the weekends, they need volunteers to organize and bag donations. Check the center’s volunteer sign-up site for more information.
When: Ongoing. Volunteer hours are 9:45 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: 8020 Alverstone Ave., Los Angeles
Details: Check for volunteer opportunities at @westchesterymca on Instagram or call (310) 670-4316.
When: Ongoing. Volunteer hours are 9:45 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: 8020 Alverstone Ave., Los Angeles
Details: Check for volunteer opportunities at @westchesterymca on Instagram or call (310) 670-4316.
Read All Read Less
Route Details
L.A. Dream Center
Echo Park Volunteer
What you’ll do: Unloading, loading, sorting, distributing and delivering donations. The Dream Center is accepting donations. Check @ladreamcenter on Instagram for the most up-to-date needs.
When: Ongoing. Volunteer hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: L.A. Dream Center, 2301 Bellevue Ave., Los Angeles
Details: Email [email protected] to confirm a time slot. There will be a waiver to sign before you can sign up for a shift. Once you have a shift, when you arrive, check in at the IHeartRadio sign.
When: Ongoing. Volunteer hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: L.A. Dream Center, 2301 Bellevue Ave., Los Angeles
Details: Email [email protected] to confirm a time slot. There will be a waiver to sign before you can sign up for a shift. Once you have a shift, when you arrive, check in at the IHeartRadio sign.
Read All Read Less
Route Details
Yama Sushi Bento Drive
San Gabriel Valley Volunteer
What you’ll do: Put together bento lunchboxes for distribution to people affected by the fires. Yama staff and volunteers have been trying to make 100 to 250 bento boxes per shift. Volunteers are also encouraged to include handwritten notes as a way of connecting with those they’re making the bento boxes for.
When: The volunteer event to assemble the boxes will be held every Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Where: Near Yama Sushi’s San Gabriel location on 911 W. Las Tunas Dr., San Gabriel
Details: Volunteer sign-up information can be found on Yama Sushi’s Instagram and website.
When: The volunteer event to assemble the boxes will be held every Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Where: Near Yama Sushi’s San Gabriel location on 911 W. Las Tunas Dr., San Gabriel
Details: Volunteer sign-up information can be found on Yama Sushi’s Instagram and website.
Read All Read Less
Route Details
Operation Gratitude
Northridge Volunteer
What you’ll do: You’ll be volunteering at Operation Gratitude’s Forward Operating Base, a.k.a. “the Fob.” Volunteers will be writing letters and prepping paracord and care packages for first responders.
When: Ongoing, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Where: 19748 Dearborn St., Chatsworth
Details: Sign up on Operation Gratitude’s volunteer portal.
When: Ongoing, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Where: 19748 Dearborn St., Chatsworth
Details: Sign up on Operation Gratitude’s volunteer portal.
Read All Read Less
Route Details
The L.A. Mission
Downtown L.A. Volunteer
What you’ll do: The Mission needs help sorting and organizing donations, preparing meals for displaced families and assisting with warehouse logistics.
When: Ongoing. The volunteer times are varied — prospective volunteers are encouraged to email Mary Grant ([email protected]).
Where: 303 E. 5th St., Los Angeles
Details: Email or call Mary Grant at (213) 629-1227 ext. 412 for more information on volunteering.
When: Ongoing. The volunteer times are varied — prospective volunteers are encouraged to email Mary Grant ([email protected]).
Where: 303 E. 5th St., Los Angeles
Details: Email or call Mary Grant at (213) 629-1227 ext. 412 for more information on volunteering.
Read All Read Less
Route Details
Sign up for The Wild
We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
