Santa Cruz County Local News: Community Service & Support


All Local Community Service & Support News articles contributed by our local media allies and other local newsrooms.

Image caption: Working together with many volunteers, this crew feeds 65,000 people in Santa Cruz County every month.
California’s Oldest Food Bank Pays It Forward

For the food-insecure community in Santa Cruz County, Second Harvest Food Bank feeds the need.

Image caption: Kerry Wood, CEO of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, says the organization researches areas of need to help donors direct their contributions.
What Is a Community Foundation?

By channeling funds to a number of nonprofits working on various issues in a given region, community foundations help solve big problems throughout California.

Image caption: There are more than 300 community service districts in California.
Community Services Districts, Explained

Community service districts can do most anything a city government can do. Here’s how they work and how to start one.

Image caption:
Celebrating Veterans Every Day

About 1.8 million veterans live in California. Here are some organizations dedicated to serving the needs of those who served America.

Image caption: Stand Down events provide veterans with valuable resources including housing assistance, medical care, and a solid community of support.
Veterans in Need ‘Stand Down’

At hundreds of Stand Down events throughout California, veterans agencies and organizations come together to deliver life’s necessities.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

07/12/2024
Beginning Monday, 150 households in Fresno County are expected to receive a $500 prepaid card to spend on anything they’d like — no strings attached. It will be the first of 12 monthly recurring payments those Southwest Fresno and Huron residents will receive as part of a guaranteed basic income program for low-income families.

Good Times logo From Good Times...

07/09/2024
Image for display with article titled Thanks a Million

Generous couple help fund Santa Cruz Symphony’s future.

The Pajaronian logo From The Pajaronian...

07/05/2024
Image for display with article titled Going Forth for Beach Cleanup

The Fourth of July has long been a time of celebration in Santa Cruz County, a height-of-summer fete that draws hordes of people to local beaches to indulge in picnics, swim in the ocean and soak up the sun, and, for some, trash the place

Press Banner logo From Press Banner...

06/28/2024
Image for display with article titled Ceremony Celebrates Launch of Damians Ladder

Last Friday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Scotts Valley Senior Center for Damians Ladder, a nonprofit organization that’s already been making an impact in the lives of seniors in Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley for months.

Press Banner logo From Press Banner...

06/20/2024
Image for display with article titled Omega Nu Santa Cruz Awards Nearly $100K in Scholarships

Omega Nu Santa Cruz awarded college and vocational scholarships to 31 students from Santa Cruz County high schools during a Scholarship Reception for the students and their families at the Harvey West Park Clubhouse on May 28.

Press Banner logo From Press Banner...

06/13/2024
Image for display with article titled First-Ever Pitch in All Santa Cruz Cleanup Event Removes 1,500 Pounds of Litter

The May 11 first-ever Pitch In All Santa Cruz Cleanup Event had a significant community impact, with more than 30 organizations and 431 individuals holding cleanups from Davenport to the Pajaro Valley, including the cities of Scotts Valley, Capitola, Santa Cruz and Watsonville.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

05/30/2024
Community Foundation Foundation Santa Cruz County announced the distribution of $1.9million in grants to 92 local nonprofits in its latest grant award cycle.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

05/21/2024
Santa Cruz County's first cleanup day held on May 11 had 431 volunteers from 30 organizations collecting 1,548 pounds of litter.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

05/19/2024
18 new volunteers were sworn in as as Court Appointed Special Advocates following their 35 hour training.

The Pajaronian logo From The Pajaronian...

05/17/2024
Image for display with article titled Community Bridges Celebrates New Downtown Mural

Dozens of people gathered in downtown Watsonville Friday afternoon to celebrate the completion of a new large outdoor mural at Community Bridges at the corner of Main Street and West Lake Avenue.

Press Banner logo From Press Banner...

05/16/2024
Image for display with article titled Community Spirit Soars at Inaugural Ben Lomond Village Alliance Meeting

Last month the fledgling Ben Lomond Village Alliance was introduced to the community and businesses of Ben Lomond.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

05/16/2024
Gov. Gavin Newsom launched the community school initiative with $4.1 billion in grants to connect students and their families to medical care, counseling and other services.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

05/14/2024
In advance of the opening of the new Santa Cruz County government center on Westridge Drive in a few weeks, the Human Services Department announced it was moved in and ready to provide services.

California Local Pin Marker From Times Publishing Group...

05/04/2024
The Capitola Aptos Rotary Club presented a check for over $90,000 to County Park Friends which is fundraising for the Treasure Cove Inclusive Playground at Jade Street Park.

Press Banner logo From Press Banner...

05/03/2024
Image for display with article titled Volunteers Shine at ‘Be the Difference’ Awards

On May 8, the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz is throwing a fête to honor the contributions of those who give their time, talent and treasure to local agencies.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

05/01/2024
The Teen Kitchen Project is building a new kitchen space in Soquel to expand meal production capacity to meet demand from those in need.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

04/24/2024
A 34-unit tiny home village for people displaced when Pajaro was flooded will begin construction in Watsonville on a church-owned parcel in Watsonville.

Press Banner logo From Press Banner...

04/12/2024
Image for display with article titled Informational Meeting Set for Newly Formed Ben Lomond Village Alliance

Ben Lomond Village Alliance (BLVA) is inviting all residents and businesses to an informational meeting about its newly formed Village Alliance.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

04/12/2024
The Downtown Streets Program is growing to 8 teams in the County with the start of a new 6 month pilot program in Boulder Creek on the Highway 9 commercial corridor.

California Local Pin Marker From Times Publishing Group...

04/07/2024
Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley was awarded a $2M by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.
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