Promote Food and Housing Security in Mendocino & Lake Counties

Donation Form Instructions:
In the "Apply My Donation To" field, select which program you'd like to support. We recommend splitting your donation between programs if possible.

Selecting "North Coast Opportunities" enables staff to apply your donation to the program(s) with the greatest need.

New Digs --Lake County
Your support will help us house residents, for good.
New Digs helps those that are experiencing homelessness secure housing by following the Housing First philosophy, a progressive and multi-pronged approach to addressing homelessness. In addition to housing placement, New Digs incorporates client choice and autonomy, resource referral, individualized supports, and social and community integration with the goal of empowering the client to become self-reliant and housing secure in the long term. With the support of the compassionate New Digs case managers, clients assume 100% of the rent of their new home within 6 months of entering the program. Additionally, they receive support in developing long-term plans for preventing future housing instability. Learn more about New Digs here.

Gardens Project-- Lake and Mendocino Counties
Help us build food sovereignty, one neighborhood at a time
The Gardens Project seeks to relieve hunger and inadequate nutrition by creating access to community-based food production and local, nutritious food. Working with local government and private landowners, Gardens Project leases underutilized land around low-income neighborhoods for the creation of new community gardens. Gardens Project also provides sustainable food production and healthy eating educational workshops and empowers volunteer gardeners to manage community space through leadership training and mentoring. Since it launched in 2007, the project has established dozens o gardens throughout the counties of Lake and Mendocino, a vast network of gardens that include: preschool, youth gardens, senior gardens, non-profit agency gardens, multi-generational and ethnic neighborhood gardens, low-income housing gardens, tribal gardens and church/faith-based gardens. Learn more about Gardens Project here.

Community Kitchen Project--Lake County
Promote food security while training the next generation of chefs
Community Kitchen Project (CKP) is a new NCO program that believes access to dignified and nutritious food is a human right. The program partners with the City of Lakeport to serve locally-sourced nutritious meals to families and individuals facing food insecurity. These meals are prepared by volunteers and college interns who learn cooking and jobs skills and earn college credits while serving the community. CKP has future plans to offer diverse cooking classes, catered community events, and other creative ways to give back to the community. Your donation today will help move CKP toward that goal. Learn More about Community Kitchen Project here.

MendoLake Food Hub--Mendocino and Lake Counties
Put healthy food into the hands of families while supporting local farmers
The MendoLake Food Hub increases the availability of local produce and the viability of local farms by connecting growers and buyers through an easy-to-use network. They collect and distribute produce from small farmers and local food producers, providing necessary infrastructure and lightening the leg work of the farmer to get his or her produce buyers. Throughout COVID, the Food Hub partnered with other NCO programs to deliver free food boxes to community members that were in need. This supported farmers during a time when many of their large-scale buyers were shutting down due to shelter-in-place orders. In response to an outpouring of consumer need and interest in this direct-to-consumer model, the Food Hub continues to sell to families in Mendocino and Lake Counties in addition to retailers and restaurants. Learn more about MendoLake Food Hub here.

Caring Kitchen Project--Mendocino County
$40 delivers 5 organic & locally-sourced meals to a resident facing cancer
The Caring Kitchen Project supports individuals facing cancer or chronic disease by providing weekly homemade meals throughout their treatment. Each meal is made using organic, locally sourced, and nutrient-dense ingredients and is created by youth and adult volunteers in a commercial kitchen at Mendocino College. Youth volunteers receive training in job skills, the culinary arts, and leadership. Throughout their time in the kitchen, volunteers foster meaningful connections and compassion for their community. Every Thursday, volunteer Delivery Angels pack meals into a bag and deliver them to directly clients’ doorsteps. Chronic diseases account for the four leading causes of death in Mendocino County. Prevention is key, and experiencing healthier living through quality, vegetable-rich meals is just what the Caring Kitchen Project is all about. Learn more about the Caring Kitchen Project here.

The Caring Kitchen cookbook is here! Now you can cook at home with Caring Kitchen and other Ceres Affiliate Partner programs. A colorful spread of more than 100 healthy and delicious recipes, this cookbook makes a thoughtful gift for a loved one. Purchase your copy and other signature Caring Kitchen gifts here.

Volunteer for Food & Housing Security.
Another way to support NCO this season is by volunteering with us. When you donate your time, you are an active participant in shaping the change you wish to see in your community. Contact NCO's Volunteer Network to register as a volunteer and find out more about opportunities to support Food & Housing Security in your area.