I had to get my mom supplies since she had a bad infection and I wanted to be ready for her needs…read morewhen she came home. This is such a wonderful program available!!! I was able to get a version of Depends type underwear, a walker with a seat, shower chair, commode and bed rail. The volunteer staff were amazing, friendly and very helpful with all kinds of tips on how to use the equipment to keep her safe. Saturday when they open was already busy. at 9:30am. It just shows that many people especially senior depends on their services. Please consider making a donation to this nonprofit organization. This my second time a loved one needed their equipment and it's a valued organization to have around. Thank you MELP! Hours listed below. Distribution Pick-Up Hours: San Carlos: every Saturday 9:30 to 11:30am South San Francisco: every Saturday 9:00 to 11:00am Donation and Return Drop-Off Hours: San Carlos: every Wednesday 2 to 4pm South San Francisco: every Thursday 2 to 4pm

What an amazing organization! I learned about MELP initially when I was looking for a place to…read moredonate new/unopened medical supplies. We were recently in need of rehabilitation equipment so I knew just where to go! I can't believe the available equipment and supplies are FREE. I'm impressed by the logistical organization and all the dedicated volunteers who run MELP. It's very simple to get registered on their tablet and you get paired up with a volunteer to describe what you're looking for (so the volunteer can retrieve it from the warehouse). I described my physical therapy plans and the volunteer was able to find me exactly what we needed -- it was perfect! They kindly offered to help me load the equipment in my car. Once we're recovered, I plan to donate the equipment back. I'm grateful that this free program is available for our community. I highly recommend visiting MELP for medical supply/equipment needs before having to buy something. Or if you no longer need equipment (e.g., crutches, canes, wedge pillows, walkers, bed railing, basins, etc.) and consumable supplies, it's a wonderful organization to donate to. Many thanks to all the volunteer organizers for this amazing community support!! I'm so inspired by you.

I have been on several volunteering trips together with 20-25 other volunteers from the Bay Area to…read morehelp with tech-related and light construction projects in Santa Barbara, Honduras where footsteps run most of the programs to benefit economic orphans (adding some pictures below). All of the trips were great, and I have very good memories. This non-profit is rather small and thrives on volunteering groups helping as they have a lot of needs. The work you do depends on the skills of each volunteer. I am a techie, so I helped to install network equipment, and fix old computers, other people did painting or helped with kid-related activities. I took my then 10-year-old son on my second trip, and he really enjoyed it as this is a family-friendly type of volunteering (on that trip we had 13 adults and 12 kids), it also was eye-opening for him to see how people who are less fortunate live as we had the opportunity to walk some of the kids home, and see they live in little shacks with no electricity, running water or sewer (adding a picture of one of the nicer homes where one of the families lives that invited us to take a look inside). The trip was very well organized, and we felt safe and welcomed by the locals. We stayed in a hotel that had air conditioning and ate very good meals (portions are smaller than in the US but way more healthy as they cook everything from scratch). The work was not really hard, but we felt we were making an impact. There is free time after dinner, and we got to know the other volunteers (we played a lot of board and card games at night, and shared stories). Overall I would describe it as a vacation with a purpose. Would definitely go again in the future if the opportunity comes...

Second Harvest of Silicon Valley is one of our preferred charities. Lets face it, there were people…read morealready hurting before COVID hit and now that's all the more exacerbated. When it comes to food security or a lack thereof, you need a charity that literally helps put food on peoples table. They provide food for those that would otherwise have to do without. They also take fruits and vegetables (You must call ahead and set it up) along with the more typical donations. In addition you can also volunteer to help sort and setup. They have a website to help direct you. However, it is very popular and sometimes days are already filled up. As with all charities they need our help. How can you help? 1) Food donations. Every bit helps 2) Volunteer to help out 3) Cash is king. Consider a cash donation so they can pay for operations and buy essential items that they don't get donated. I mean how many cans of pumpkin filling can you make someone eat right?

I have incurable cancer. I have been through chemo and have lingering serious side effects so…read moregetting to a food pantry is hard not to mention. I don't have a car. I found Second Harvest Food Bank delivers food to the door. So I applied and they have been delivering to my door when they don't send lazy delivery drivers that leave my food outside my apartment building for everyone to get, or in the lobby or in the mail room to leave my food to rot. Even if I could go to the lobby or mail room, I can't lift my box and bring it up five floors. Not to mention, I don't get notification that the food box has even been delivered so I don't know if it's been delivered to the lobby, mail room, or left outside. I have called several times explaining I am not getting my food boxes, even though they send out another food box 5 days later, I shouldn't have to wait five extra days for food. Not to mention 7 out of 10 times I get my box it's loaded with rotten fruit and vegetables full of mold. To which by the way I am highly allergic to food mold. I have called. I have spoke to supervisors. I have spoken to several different people at Second Harvest Food Bank. They apologize. Which I appreciate, but that doesn't help me with my food. They said if you don't want to receive moldy fruit and vegetables come and pick up the box yourself. Nice I would if I could. I'm sure others with my health issues and my age would attest to the fact that we would do a lot of things if we were physically capable of doing it. So apologies fall on deaf ears because I still don't receive my food boxes when I should and like I said half the time the food is rotten full of mold. Shaking my head because I see the commercials and I see people donating to which I appreciate. I see people in their cars in line getting all this beautiful fresh fruit and vegetables not to mention holiday boxes to which I don't receive a holiday box I don't get anything to celebrate Easter, Thanksgiving no turkey, no Christmas box just beans and rice is what people who get their food delivered get along with moldy fruit and vegetables. I guess that is Second Harvest Food Bank's way of saying happy holidays. You don't get a holiday box you don't need to celebrate a holiday.

Villages of San Mateo County is a non-profit membership organization of older adults living in…read moretheir own homes and communities we love. Their mission (and they do it and great) is to support members with services, resources, and community connections so they can enjoy vibrant, healthy and fulfilling lives in their own homes and live more independently. I am a very satisfied member of this great volunteer organization and there is little they can not or do not provide, mostly volunteer, and has pretty much saved me from moving by keeping me and my home safe and has field trips and activities that are fun and stimulating, even educational and each member and volunteer has been wonderful and reassuring to me. They provide: Home safety evaluations, Minor home repairs (installing bath bars, hand rails, special electric outlets, fire and other alarms, and fire extinguisher and more in home help for safety. Rides to medical appointments, grocery shopping, hair/nail salons..., Help with simple home and yard chores. Computer, cell phone and other technology services, shuttle to airport, and so much more and so well done and all are committed, kind, helpful, and enjoy helping others to thrive, not just survive, and lead a good life and enjoy social activities and help beyond one's imagination. I have no idea how I survived before joining Villages of San Mateo County. I cannot say enough the gift of being safe and knowing they are here for me means to my well-being, health and being connected to a super group of volunteers. I hesitate to say more or speak for them, but they do and have done so much for me I run out of ways to thank them. Please contact them for more information: 650 260-4569 or info@villagesofsmc.org You will be amazed at all they do and with such a great attitude. Carol Ormandy

I tried to drop off three boxes of men's and women's clothing to the First Step for Families…read morefacility at 325 Villa Terrace in San Mateo. When I called beforehand to make sure that they were accepting donations, the woman said that the "only accepted current fashionable donations, as they had mostly young women" there. Because I was donating mostly work dresses, I figured that was OK. The second woman who was actually accepting donations (different voice than on the phone) opened my first box to inspect it. She went through item-by-item and rejected two dresses and one blouse. She opened the box labeled as men's items, saw the suit on the top and said, "No. We only have young men here" and rejected the entire box. By then, I was upset enough not to bother to tell her that there were many almost new jackets and sweatshirts beneath. She opened the third box, saw there were baseball caps on the top and said "We only take new caps." Without looking at the contents of the rest of the box (mostly almost new casual mens and women's tops and sweaters), she rejected the box in whole. I took the other two boxes back to my car, and returned to give her three of the baseball caps which had never been worn. When I asked for a receipt, she said "You only gave 12 dresses." I told her that I still wanted a receipt the the donation. She had me scan the QR code, then said (out of the blue), "Don't enter $500." Talk about a TERRIBLE experience! I'll NEVER again donate to this organization. They missed out on a lot today, and deserve to continue to miss out when they malign strangers who are trying to donate to help their community

I donated food and clothing on a Saturday afternoon. Had a very pleasant experience with…read morerepresentative in the lobby donation area - she was extremely informative and helpful. This shelter accepts food donations, clothing for any gender and age, new toiletries, new toys, breast pumps, baby formula, bottles and baby clothes. They do NOT accept used toys or furniture, car seats or cribs. Good place for volunteer groups who wish to help stock the food pantry, clean, etc.

Great finds in store for bargain prices! Feels good to donate as they really reach out and help…read morethose who are very in need.

St Francis Center is a great place to donate whatever clothing or small kitchen appliances. You are…read morelooking to donate. They allow people in need to fill three bags and it's free of charge to them. This truly helps people who are in need and especially the ones who are starting a new life here in California from other countries. B. Larocque

We are super grateful to have a place like Ronald McDonald! My daughter is recovering from a heart…read moresurgery and getting ready for a heart transplant. Being local to Stanford is necessary just in case of an emergency and this place is a blessing to us! I do have to say this place needs more cameras to avoid disguising people making a mess everyone! I hate entitled people who think they can make a mess and have someone clean it up. The staff is always super friendly. We are raising funds for a heart transplant please reach out to me directly for information on how you can help us share the fundraiser link. Just sharing it in your social media will help us enormously!

Really nice place for families that need a place while children are in the hospital. Place Is…read moreclean and has great resources

Great place to volunteer. Everyone is very nice and the place is great. Donating shoes to help…read moreothers is a good way to start sharing and helping others.