Want to help Southern California wildfire victims from NC? These groups need donations
Wildfires recently ravaged Southern California communities, displacing hundreds of people from their homes and destroying neighborhoods in swaths.
We can help, even from all the way across the country.
Here’s a partial list of groups providing help in the Los Angeles area, including many compiled and verified by our teammates out west at The Sacramento Bee.
How to help LA & Southern California wildfire relief
American Red Cross
The Red Cross LA region “focuses on meeting the immediate emergency needs of area disaster victims at least once a day,” and assistance can include shelter, food, clothing, toiletry items, clean-up items, help in obtaining prescription refills or medical equipment, mental health support and referrals to organizations that help with long-term needs, the website states.
- What’s needed: Monetary donations, volunteers and blood donations
- Info: redcross.org
California Fire Foundation Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund
This organization “is working with local fire agencies and community-based organizations to provide direct financial support to impacted residents,” the website states.
Monetary donations support wildfire victims and firefighters working to help.
- What’s needed: Monetary donations
- Info: cafirefoundation.org
Direct Relief
This humanitarian aid nonprofit is responding to the wildfires “with medical aid, free N95 masks and more,” the website states.
- What’s needed: Monetary donations
- Info: directrelief.org
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
The food bank is “working with government agencies, nonprofit and faith-based partners and others to respond to the fires throughout Los Angeles County,” the website states.
- What’s needed: Monetary donations, volunteers, food donations and other staples
- Info: lafoodbank.org/fire
Pasadena Humane
The humane center “offers lifesaving programs and services for animals and the people who love them in the Greater Los Angeles Area,” the website states, “providing shelter, dedicated care and new beginnings for thousands of our community’s most vulnerable animals every year.”
- What’s needed: Monetary donations
- Info: pasadenahumane.org
Salvation Army
Donations help “provide critical aid, shelter, food, and support for wildfire survivors and first responders in Los Angeles,” the website states.
- What’s needed: Monetary donations
- Info: salvationarmyusa.org/usn
World Central Kitchen
The group’s relief team is on the ground to “to support first responders and families impacted by wildfires in the Los Angeles area, ... working with restaurant and food truck partners to provide comforting meals,” the website states.
Hot meals are served at several distribution sites throughout the region.
- What’s needed: Monetary donations
- Info: wck.org/relief/california-fires-jan25
United Way of Greater Los Angeles
This local group “focuses on longer-term recovery efforts to support members of our community,” the website states.
- What’s needed: Monetary donations
- Info: unitedwayla.org
YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
This local group is allowing anyone impacted by the fires to access food, water, supplies, showers, mental health support and childcare at select locations, a social media posts states.
- What’s needed: Monetary donations, volunteers and essential items
- Info: ymcala.org/community-response
CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation
This local group “provides funds for immediate life-sustaining assistance to firefighters and their families who have suffered debilitating injury or loss of life,” the website states.
“The money raised goes directly to assist firefighters, their families, those that support firefighters and to assist burn victims.”
- What’s needed: Monetary donations
- Info: calfire.foundation
What not to donate
Do some research into each organization when considering your donation, be it time, money or items.
Some groups in the Los Angeles area have been overwhelmed with food, clothing and household supplies and can use monetary donations and extra hands, The Bee reported. Check out the aid groups’ websites and social media pages for the most updated information on what’s needed and how you can help.
Avoid scams when donating to LA wildfires
Unfortunately, scammers arise during natural disasters, looking to take advantage of people wanting to help victims.
To ensure your donation goes to a legitimate group doing relief work, you should:
- Avoid donating on the spot if you receive a phone call asking for money.
- If you want to donate by phone, you can visit the group’s website and call the phone number listed (or donate through the website itself).
- Check verification websites like GuideStar and Charity Navigator to ensure the group you’re wishing to support is authentic.
The Sacramento Bee’s Hannah Poukish contributed reporting to this story.
This story was originally published January 15, 2025 at 11:54 AM with the headline "Want to help Southern California wildfire victims from NC? These groups need donations."
