How To Help North Bay Fire Victims [Updated]

How To Help North Bay Fire Victims [Updated]Members of the SFPD Task Force stand watch in Santa Rosa. | Photo: SFPDSgtMike‏/Twitter
Teresa Hammerl
Published on October 11, 2017

As we reported earlier this week, almost 88,000 acres of brush fires in Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties have destroyed about 2,000 structures and forced widespread evacuations in the North Bay.

Hoodline content partner ABC7 put together a list of places where you can donate and volunteer, while many more local businesses are stepping up to support those in need as well.

Airbnb, for example, activated its host community to open homes for $0 to those evacuating, while the California Academy of Sciences offers "a free, safe place to get you and your family out of the smoke during the day" for residents in areas directly impacted by the fires.

How to volunteer

Immediate needs are being driven by events on the ground, so before driving to the North Bay with supplies, consider volunteering with the American Red Cross or another coordinating agency.

If you're interested in working in a shelter in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino or Lake counties, register online here

Restaurants, bars supporting fire victims

Cole Valley bistro Zazie (941 Cole St.) is donating all of the sales of gift items like mugs, tote bags and pancake mix this week to the staff at its sister restaurant, Calistoga Kitchen. "[They] are being badly impacted by the massive wildfires in Napa Valley," the restaurant wrote on Facebook.

Zeitgeist (99 Valencia St.) is accepting donations. "We have a friend driving up to drop off in Santa Rosa on Sunday," bar representatives posted. Organizers are asking supporters to drop off items before 8pm on Sunday.

Andytown Coffee Roasters (3016 Taraval St.) is gathering donations between 7am and 5pm today. "We will be driving all donated items (along with a ton of pastries and coffee) up to the Petaluma shelter on Thursday morning first thing," organizers wrote. If you are not sure what to bring, check out their list of what’s needed in highest demand.

Mediterranean-Turkish restaurant LaLe (731 Irving St.) will donate 30 percent of its proceeds today to North Bay fire relief. "Every step counts, please join us to raise funds for our neighboring counties," reads an appeal on Facebook.

Outer Sunset bar The Riptide (3639 Taraval St.) is also gathering donations today, starting at 4pm until it closes. 

Shops organizing donation drives

Clothing store Love on Haight (1400 Haight St.) is accepting donations every day this week. Tents, air mattresses, pillows, phone chargers and many more items are needed.

Record store 1-2-3-4 Go! Records in San Francisco (1038 Valencia St.) and Oakland (420 40th St.) is also serving as a drop-off point collecting donations "for a Santa Rosa friend to deliver to evacuation centers," they wrote.

On Thursday, 3 Fish Studios (4541 Irving St.) will donate 100 percent of its proceeds from online sales of the "I Love You California" collection to relief efforts. 

Support for displaced pets

The Animal House SF (157 Fillmore St.) took a full load of supplies to the North Bay yesterday. They will update their Facebook page with lists of needed items, which can be dropped off at the store. In the meantime, rescue organization Wonder Dog Rescue is accepting donations to buy supplies for displaced animals.

Cat rescue Wonder Cat also has drop-off sites across the city; for more informations send an email to [email protected]. The organization is also seeking individuals interested in fostering. "We would like to be available to assist Milo [Foundation] with taking cats as needed," they wrote.

The SFSPCA is taking in animals from Sonoma and Marin and is looking for those who thought about adopting a pet to drop by the shelter now so they can make room for more cats and kittens.

Jeffrey's Natural Pet Foods (284 Noe St.) is also collecting donations for rescue and support organizations. Shoppers can donate cash when they come to the shop or by buying items online.

Doggy daycare Pet Camp is offering 25% off pet lodging to displaced pets. The discount will be applied to Pet Camp services and locations until October 20th.

And Animal Care & Control San Francisco will cross-post found pets from Sonoma County Animal Services in the hopes that they are recognized and reunited with their families.

Did you hear about other donation drives or fundraisers in San Francisco and Oakland? Text Hoodline at 415-200-3233, or let us know in the comments.