United Way of
San Luis Obispo County

Give Back this Holiday Season

This season is merry and bright, so spread some holiday cheer with these unique ways to give back.

Shop to Fair Trade for the Youth Board

On Friday, December 19th, the Youth Board will host a holiday shopping party at HumanKind Fair Trade store in San Luis Obispo. Shop from 5:00-8:00 PM on December 19th, and 20% of sales will be donated to the Youth Board. Youth Board members will be on hand to wrap your gifts and serve holiday treats. HumanKind carries a wide range of products including home decor, jewelry, toys, food, and more. Check out all the store has to offer at www.humankindslo.org, and come see us on Friday at 982 Montery Street in San Luis Obispo.

United Way Day at Whole Foods Market

Shop our local Whole Foods Market on Wednesday, December 17th, and a portion of sales will be donated to United Way of San Luis Obispo County. Whole Foods is located at 1531 Froom Ranch Way, and is open from 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM.

Create a Welcome Home

As part of the 50 Now Project, housing the top 50 most vulnerable homeless people in SLO County, United Way is collecting Welcome Home Kits. These kits include the suggested essentials for the newly housed, ranging from personal hygiene and laundry to kitchen and other household basics.Download the flyer for more information.

Give More Together

Click the picture to view the larger image.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Do you enjoy doing taxes? Use your unique interests and volunteer as a tax preparer! VITA tax preparers use IRS software to prepare basic tax returns for low-to-moderate-income households in the community and use an intake and interview process to help ensure that taxpayers receive all the tax credits they are eligible for. Volunteers sign up to help 3 hours per week. Intake Specialists assist clients with completing a short in-take form that ensures their return is prepared accurately. Interpreters provide interpretation services to aid in the preparation of tax returns at VITA Sites. Volunteers who speak Spanish are in high demand, other languages are also needed. Preparers must become certified. Classes are available January 3, 10 & 17 at Cuesta College SLO Campus (Course #BF0904.115), or through an online IRS course. Contact Mari Poturica for more information or to sign up!

A Portrait of California

A Portrait of California is an easy to understand measure of the well-being of Californians, measuring how Californians are doing in health, education and income - the building blocks of a decent life and the core focus areas of United Way's community impact work. The newest report was released on December 9th and features interactive maps and profiles.

Once you've seen A Portrait of California, find out how you match up using The Well-O-Meter. You can get a general sense of your own human development thanks to this tool, also by Measure of America.

Coats for Christmas Day

For the past 17 years, the San Luis Obispo community has generously provided our County's homeless with a wonderful home-cooked Christmas Day dinner, live entertainment and much needed care packages containing brand new sleeping bags, hooded sweatshirts, winter jackets and toiletries. The Jewish Community initiated this event in order to serve those with the greatest need on Christmas Day and their goal again this year is to be able to help those without shelter to stay warm and protected from the elements during the upcoming winter months. With the help of SLO Camp and Pack, your donation of $20 will buy a brand new winter jacket for someone in need. Visit www.unitedwayslo.org or call (805) 541-1234 for more information.