How You Can Help North Bay Fire Victims

Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law.

Galatians 6:2 (Message)

Many of us here in the Bay Area are looking for ways to help carry the burdens of those who have experienced devastating loss in the North Bay fires. From time and money to material supplies, there are countless ways to support ongoing relief efforts in Napa and Sonoma County.

Here are some ways to get involved this weekend!

1. Contribute to the BACC Doing Good

At the BACC we believe deeply in giving back to our Bay Area community as well as supporting other communities in need. We have contacted several shelters who asked for gift cards to places like Target to help people begin to rebuild their lives. We have donated 50 such gift cards to the Petaluma Community Center this weekend.

We were able to make this donation because of generous contributions made to BACC Doing Good. If you’d like to support our efforts, you can donate online and write in the “Additional notes” field that you would like the money to go relief for North Bay fire victims.

2. Donate supplies

On Sunday, 10/15 you can bring supplies to our Contra Costa North service in Pleasant Hill to be delivered to those in need in the North Bay. Supplies needed currently are:

• blankets
• pillows
• cots
• foam/air mattresses
• toiletries/hygiene supplies
• towels
• baby essentials (diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, rash cream)
• canned food
• ready-made shelf stable foods
• Target gift cards

Please note – no clothing is needed at this time. 

If you can’t make it to Pleasant Hill, you can find donation centers around the Bay Area collecting similar supplies.

3. Attend a fundraiser

Fundraisers are great ways to support relief efforts; many agencies prefer monetary donations to material donations, so that they can better meet the specific needs of those they are serving.

Members of our church in San Francisco are hosting an Autumn Fest for Fire Relief Fundraiser this Sunday from 12-2 pm. You and your family can enjoy a Halloween Carnival, chili, hot dogs, drinks and cupcakes, and all proceeds will go toward fire relief in Napa and Sonoma County.

Autumn Fest/Halloween Carnival Fundraiser

• When: Sunday, October 15 from 12-2 pm (after church service)
• Where: Scottish Rite Masonic Center, San Francisco

4. Volunteer

Still looking for a way to help out? The Sacramento Bee compiled an exhaustive list of ways to get involved in fire relief efforts – from volunteering to donating money to collecting materials. Their list includes opportunities all over the Bay Area and up through Sacramento. Another public google doc is keeping track of local volunteer opportunities in Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Napa.