Foundation Special Giving Edition: LA Wildfire Relief

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By Sara Brenner, Executive Director, Jewish Community Foundation

It is heartbreaking to witness the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area, which are impacting so many, including our own friends and family. These fires, the most destructive in LA’s history, have deeply affected the Jewish community. The historic Pasadena Jewish Center and Temple has been lost, and the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles is working tirelessly to connect those in need with shelters and resources.

Our team is closely monitoring the evolving situation and is here to guide you in providing support. The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington has launched a Wildfire Crisis Relief Fund, and below, we’ve highlighted LA-based resources for immediate assistance to those facing evacuation, loss, and medical challenges.

Climate crises like this often hit the most vulnerable hardest, including impoverished and marginalized populations within and beyond the Jewish community. For LA’s unhoused and low-income residents, evacuation often means overcrowded shelters. If you wish to direct your support to specific populations or organizations in the region, the following recommendations reflect Jewish values of compassion and care for those in need. You can also give directly to the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles Wildfire Crisis Relief Fund.

Greater LA Relief Efforts Supporting Victims and First Responders

Supporting First-Responders

  • Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation EIN 27-2007326
    Seeking immediate support to provide apparel and equipment for the 3,500+ LAFD members currently battling wildfires in LA. Members include both firefighters and paramedics at 106 fires stations within the city.
  • Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles EIN 84-4370166
    Combats hunger by providing meals, love, unity, and community. They are a community-run, industrial, kosher kitchen involving volunteers preparing meals for distribution across Los Angeles, Hot meals are being prepared for those in need, firefighters, and emergency personnel.

Supporting Unhoused Residents

  • The Midnight Mission EIN 95-1691293 The longest-running homeless shelter on Skid Row provides resources, support, family living, job training, and emergency services. Already at capacity before the fires, they are now striving to expand services to meet the surge in emergency needs.
  • Hollywood Food Coalition EIN 46-4079214
    Providing meals, community resource exchanges, and mask distribution at the Hollywood Salvation Army Campus and operating a mobile clinic in partnership with UCLA with medical services and additional mask distribution.

Supporting Local Aid

  • Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center EIN 95-1691318
    The historic PJTC campus was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, with many congregants also losing their homes. PJTC urgently needs funds to support basic needs like housing, food, and clothing for affected members, secure a temporary spiritual space, and plan for eventual rebuilding.
  • Maple Counseling Center EIN 95-2753118
    Providing crisis mental health care and regular counseling services, MCC offers sliding scale resources and insurance navigation for the Jewish community and beyond. They are assembling volunteer therapists to help respond to the ongoing crisis.
  • Jewish Free Loan of Los Angeles (JFLA) EIN 95-1691014
    Providing emergency housing aid, as well as interest free-loans for individuals, families and small businesses for those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. JFLA can help with zero-interest and zero-fee loans up to $15,000 for temporary housing (including hotels and short-term rentals), purchase of clothing, medication, and other essential supplies, and other emergency needs.

Give through your Donor Advised Fund Today

  1. Log onto the Donor Web Portal
  2. Select Recommend Grants from the left-hand menu
  3. Select from an agency already placed on your personal list of charities or search for one we’ve recommended above

Our goal is to make your giving as effective and meaningful as possible. Please let us know how we can support your philanthropic vision. Reach out to us to share feedback and for individual support.

We are grateful to live in such a generous community, and to partner with donors willing to step up in times of crisis. If you have family or loved ones on the West Coast, we join you in praying for their safety.