Long Beach has launched its “Season of Giving” drive to encourage residents to donate to several nonprofits that support people experiencing homelessness during the holidays.

The city’s donation efforts are aimed at providing critical items for those who are homeless, including blankets, food, personal hygiene and other products essential for everyday use.

At least six charitable organizations are accepting items and volunteers to help folks in need.

Those nonprofits are GP God’s People Care Packages and Blankets of Love, Long Beach Community Table, Transitions in Motherhood, Food Finders, Precious Lamb and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Folks interested in giving physical items are invited to participate in one of the donation drive-thrus,where they can drop off goods for unhoused residents.

The next donation drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Department of Health and Human Services’ main facility, 2525 Grand Ave.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the tremendous support from our community this year,” Rex Richardson said in a recent press release, “and we’re hopeful that even more people will join us in the spirit of giving during our ‘Season of Giving’ campaign.”

Physical donations will be distributed at the Multi-Service Center, 1301 W. 12th St., to people experiencing homelessness, the city said in a press release, though items will also be available for local partner organizations to distribute through their existing outreach programs.

Among the high-need items are those to protect against cold weather, sich as women’s and men’s sweatshirts, pants, coats, socks, blankets, umbrellas and shoes.

Holiday-themed gifts are also welcome, as well as hygiene kits or house-warming gift kits from the Multi-Service Center’s Amazon Wish List.

Folks can also donate backpacks filled with hand warmers, flashlights, battery packs, D-type batteries, emergency blankets and charging cables.

Pet care kits with food, treats, collars, leashes, pet toys or collapsible pet bowls are also in great need.

Canned food and small manual can openers are needed as well, along with bottled drinks such as juices and water, and snacks like granola or power bars, plus instant oatmeal and soups.

Donation bins for essential physical items can be found at all Long Beach Public Library branches during regular operating hours, in addition to the following locations:

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach main office, 3635 Long Beach Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
• The Scherer Park Community Center, 4654 Pasadena Ave., from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Residents, businesses and community organizations wanting to issue tax-deductible monetary donations are also encouraged to contribute to the Mayor’s Fund for Homeless Action.

That fund is run by the Long Beach Community Foundation, with supervision from the Homeless Services Advisory Committee.

Monetary contributions to the fund can be made by check or credit card. To donate or for additional information, visit longbeachcf.org.

Long Beach has collected more than 27,000 donated items since February and 14,000 have been distributed to folks who are homeless and to local charities that help unhoused people with services and support.

Nonprofits and local organizations interested in receiving donations should reach out the city by emailing [email protected].