
10 Incredible Grassroots Efforts Providing Fire Relief That You Need to Know About
These community-led efforts offer services (and a ray of hope) to California wildfire victims.

The devastating wildfires in Southern California have undoubtedly changed the lives and landscapes of our great state forever. With 40,644 acres burned, and more than 12,300 structures destroyed at the time of publishing, countless lives have been upended by the tragedy. Yet there are glimmers of hope to be found in how the communities of Los Angeles have responded, springing into immediate action and creating grassroots efforts that quickly and directly provided relief for those in need. These homegrown movements embody the can-do spirit of the state of California, and are helping clear a path to move forward. Here are a few worth considering.
Altadena Girls Fire Recovery
Altadena Girls Fire Recovery aims to help young girls regain their sense of self and confidence focusing on gathering everyday items teens need like clothes, personal hygiene items, beauty, and hair care products. The goal of their fund, founded by 14-year-old local student Avery Colvert, is to help young residents of Altadena impacted by the Eaton Fire, many of whom lost everything, regain a sense of normalcy in their daily lives, and eventually build long-term support.
Seconds Markets Clothing Match Program
Using the AirTable platform, Seconds Markets are connecting clothing donors to those in need directly. Their application has donors list the age, size, gender, and style of the donations, then matches them up with those in need. Once matched, you can coordinate the details of delivery directly via shipping or drop-off, providing support and connection in the most efficient way possible. Traditionally Seconds Markets are consignment store alternatives that operate both online or in person. They also host events where guests can buy, swap, or sell directly from their wardrobes without a middle man taking a cut with the hopes of creating a more circular fashion industry.
LA Community Meals
LA Community Meals is hoping to be the connector between diners wanting to donate and restaurants willing to give. Organizer Christina Gilmour is hoping to help local restaurants with limited resources serve their communities. Using the link in bio on LA Community Meals’ Instagram, she’s created a digital coalition of restaurants where a donor can purchase a specific meal at a restaurant—say a pizza from Ronan or Vietnamese bowls from Bé Ù—or apply for a meal service. This keeps restaurants cooking in a time when many in the city aren’t dining out, while providing a simple solution to do good for others, all while knowing exactly what your donation is being used for.
Dog Ppl Safe Haven
The members-only dog park in Santa Monica closed their doors for business and instead created a safe haven for canines that had been displaced during the nearby Palisades fires. Though the haven is currently full, they have also launched a canine relief fund for their residents in collaboration with Canine Rescue Club, which you can contribute to here.
Danny Boy’s Delivery
Chef Daniel Holzman immediately jumped into action the day after the fires, mobilizing his social followers to help distribute free pizzas as de facto delivery drivers. Within 15 minutes, Danny Boys had 200 volunteers. Since January 7, he’s linked with local restaurants like Jon & Vinny’s, Tacos 1986, Night + Market, and Goop Kitchen via group chat so they can collectively contribute to the delivery program, where customers and followers serve as tipsters, sending info on fire brigades, frontline workers, and evacuee hubs in need of food. They are also working directly with Feed the Streets to deliver to Pasadena. What’s more is that they aren’t even taking donations, and have been doing this daily with no plans of ceasing the effort.
Homestate Hugs Station
The team behind the successful breakfast taco shop has set up a donation center in Pasadena for those impacted by the fires that provides all the essentials, including a hug station. (We could all use a great big one right now, that’s for sure.) The team posts daily what the needs are on their Instagram feed, and has welcomed both donations and volunteers at their Homestate Pasadena location daily.
Baby2Baby
The impact a catastrophic event can have on a new family is unfathomable. Thankfully, Baby2Baby has distributed over two million emergency supplies for vulnerable children and families, including diapers, food, formula, water, clothing, blankets, and hygiene products, and will continue to do so with their nearly 500 partners throughout the area.
Anti-Recidivism Coalition Prisoner Firefighter Fund
Given the harrowing work they do, it’s shocking that prisoners from the wildfire-fighting prisoners of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation earn as little as $26.90 for a 24-hour shift. By donating to the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, you’ll help them get supplies such as new boots, toiletries, and other gear. Remaining funds after the blazes are controlled will be put toward scholarships for formerly incarcerated firefighters, put into individual prisoners’ commissary accounts, or contributed to scholarship funds. Give here and write “firefighter fund” in your donation description.
World Central Kitchen
Jose Andres’ non-profit World Central Kitchen is always one of the first food distributors on the ground when it comes to global crisis. The Eaton and Palisades Fires were no exceptions. Their teams have mobilized across the region to provide immediate relief, working with restaurant and food truck partners to provide comforting meals at distribution centers throughout the city to those in need.
Pasadena Humane Society
Pasadena Humane has taken in over 400 animals from the Eaton Fire emergency, including horses and wildlife. Currently, they are in need of monetary donations to help us purchase medical supplies for burned and injured animals, many of whom suffered smoke inhalation, singed paws, burns, dehydration, and more.