Despite market volatility in 2023, the Red Oak Opportunity Foundation (ROOF) pulled together to distribute over $90,000 to East Bay nonprofits.
The funds were distributed to 21 charities that directly benefit East Bay communities. These nonprofits support the unhoused, at-risk youth, women and children in need, the environment, educational- and arts-based programs, mental health services, social justice, food insecurity, and much more.
Here are a few of the great organizations that we supported. We encourage you to learn and support them as well. Watch for more updates on Red Oak’s blog, where you can sign up for email updates here.
DANDELION KITCHEN’S mission is to help eliminate food insecurity and reduce food waste right here in the East Bay. The organization consists of a large group of volunteers from all backgrounds and professions, who help to prepare single-serving vegetarian meals using fresh local ingredients that would otherwise end up in landfills. The initiative grew from what was originally a program developed by Berkeley Food Network (BFN) who remains one of the key sources of fruits and vegetables for the program, in addition to helping with distribution. Dandelion Kitchen currently prepares and distributes about 750 meals a week, feeding local community members in need and diverting close to ten tons of recovered food annually.
TINY VILLAGE SPIRIT is helping to tackle the increasing challenges faced by the unhoused in the Bay Area. They work to engage community members in the constituent-led developments of emergency housing villages. Their Oakland Tiny Village project engaged over 4,000 volunteers from local congregations, schools and businesses, partnering together to develop solutions and emergency shelters. The organization is currently working to build a Richmond Tiny House Village, Garden and Farm, essentially doubling the number of emergency housing units for Richmond’s youth between the ages of 12 and 24. The project’s expected move-in date is July 2024.
TOWN BIZNESS is a grassroots organization serving the cities of the East Bay. By delivering basic comfort to those in need, durable tents for shelter, shelf-stable food and hygiene items, they are addressing the basic human needs of those without access to these necessities. Volunteers help with everything from helping to find shelter to helping create access to services like healthcare and even vet care for pets. They collect clean blankets, bedding and sleeping bags, clean clothing and coats to help keep community members warm during the colder months. As is often the case with many grassroots organizations, volunteers and additional support are always welcome.
WEST OAKLAND PUNKS WITH LUNCH is run by a group of volunteers whose mission is to provide life-saving services and harm-reduction resources to underserved and marginalized community members. The organization’s volunteers provide direct community outreach, encouraging de-stigmatization of drug use and poverty. They aim to empower people to make well-informed decisions by providing resources, education and compassion. Some of their partners include Berkeley Free Clinic, BOMBAS Socks, and Roger’s and Rosewater Soup Company, among many others.
RICHMOND’S ROTARY was established in 1920, over a hundred years ago to encourage and foster the idea of service and goodwill. In 1989 Richmond’s fire and police united to form a toy drive to help local families in need. The program's distribution point over the last few years has been the Lovonya DeJean Middle School. Each year, families register for the toy and food giveaway in November. On the Saturday before Christmas, families receive bags of toys for each of their children, dry foods, fresh chicken and an opportunity to win a bike. The bikes are provided by the Richmond Rotary Club through support from generous donations. Link to the Richmond Fire and Police Toy Program for more information.
If you have questions about the organizations mentioned above, or about ROOF in general, reach out. And we hope you will donate to ROOF, too.
