The Brief

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced by the fires in Los Angeles. If you're watching from afar and want to help, sending money to a trusted relief organization may be more effective than donating items or heading to the front lines to see how you can lend hand.

If you are wondering where to start, Los Angeles County has set up an online portal with links to local funds that have been set up to help first responders and fire victims with housing, employment, and recovery.

Unsolicited donations of goods — such as clothing, or canned food — can cause more trouble for aid organizations already in place. " I've seen pallets of clothing just left outside in a parking lot for months after some disasters, because there's no place to put it, people don't have resources to sort it," said Drew Hanna, who has led relief efforts after wildfires in California, Hawaii and elsewhere for the nonprofit Team Rubicon.

In fact, several aid groups, including the local YMCA, have already asked people to stop bringing clothes to its donation centers. "The one thing we really do not need is clothing," Christina Bragg, a YMCA spokesperson told LAist.

Just a few days after the Eaton Fire devastated Altadena and parts of Pasadena, the city of Pasadena, in a post on X, also wrote that it was "incredibly grateful for the donations of food and other items. However, at this time, we are overwhelmed with the amount and we are no longer accepting additional donations."

At news conference on Sunday, L.A. Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said  "there are donations of food, water supplies, literally  spilling over and out into our local fire stations."

The community support is heartwarming.

But no one wants supplies — and the hard-earned money people spent to purchase them — to go to waste.

Many organizations say donating money and/or signing up to be a trained volunteer (for the current and future disasters) is the best way to help.

L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone has been encouraging people who want to help to visit the website of the Emergency Network Los Angeles. For volunteer opportunities, L.A. Works has information about how to help with housing, child care, food and specific needs from local nonprofits.

Also, the state's CaliforniansForAll.ca.gov serves as a clearinghouse for volunteer opportunities.

One quick way to know what an agency does or doesn't need is to check their website and social media channels. Organizations will often broadcast needs there first. You can also try calling, but understand some agencies may not have the bandwidth to answer phones.

Why donations can get overwhelming

Families who lost their homes in the fires have tremendous needs. But it may be difficult for them to get to the places where donations are being distributed. They also likely have no place right now to store many of the things they'll need to rebuild their lives.

For volunteer coordinators, trying to manage donated objects like clothes, blankets and food can be difficult.

"That is countless hours of work by volunteer agencies, by survivors themselves, to navigate the piles and piles of donated clothing," Hanna from Team Rubicon said.

A recent post on the group's website tells the story of useless donations given by well-meaning people in the wake of disasters, including thousands of winter coats donated to Houston residents impacted by Hurricane Harvey in the hot, sticky summer of 2017.

"Coats weren’t what the city’s residents needed," the article reads. "Thousands of donors’ well-intended impact became a logistical nightmare for community organizations and relief volunteers who could have been focused instead on the emergent needs of a ravaged city."

Volunteering takes time

If you'd like to get your hands dirty and help people one-on-one, it's not always as easy as just showing up. Local community groups may host events and drives, but big organizations like the Red Cross say it takes a bit of time before you can become a volunteer.

It may be a week of training at least before they can deploy you to assist people. They accept applications here.

Don't be too disappointed that you can't volunteer right away, though, because many services are needed well after the flames are extinguished. For example, volunteers might work with people to connect them with the right organizations and providers to help them get back on their feet.

How can I help, right now

That said, here are a few options if you want to get involved right now:

• Check out the list of volunteer opportunities posted at L.A. Works
• Join LAIT911's disaster response and recovery team, where the work includes collecting donations and assisting with delivery
• Foster a dog or cat from a family displaced by the fires. Email the Pasadena Humane Society or stop by their office for more info
• Contact your local community group or religious organization to find out how they're trying to help

Where to donate money, and some specific items

Public officials in L.A. are encouraging people who want to help to donate to specific, well-vetted organizations and funds. These include:

• California Community Foundation's Wildfire Recovery Fund
• American Red Cross
• Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
• The county's online relief portal with links to numerous local funds for fire victims
  

If you'd rather donate to a specific individual or family, GoFundMe has set up a dedicated page where you can donate to SoCal fire victims, first responders and others through their separate fundraising accounts.

If you have more stuff than cash, the YMCA is accepting donations of essential items for families affected the fires, minus clothing. Check out the YMCA's social media for updated needs.

The Pasadena Humane Society is seeking monetary donations to feed and care for the more than 300 pets they've taken in since the Eaton Fire broke out.

Donation drops through the city

City Council members have announced locations for donations, asking that people do not drop off at fire stations, shelters or other locations:

Councilmember Traci Park

Council District 11 Office
Location: 7166 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Items requested:

• Individually-wrapped items
• Non-perishable goods
• Personal hygiene products
• Canned goods
• Baby food
• Dog food
• Water and Gatorade 

Councilmember Monica Rodriguez

North Valley Caring Services Food Pantry
Location: 15453 Rayen St., North Hills
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 2 p.m. on Friday

Items requested:

• Non perishable foods
• Blankets
• Bottled Water
• Diaper and wipes
• Microwaves
• Fresh produce — Please only drop off on Thursdays

Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson

It’s Bigger Than Us
Location: 4308 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday

Items requested (new items only):

• Men, women and children's clothing
• Air mattresses
• Bedding
• Toiletries
• Non-perishable foods
• Monetary donations to It’s Bigger Than Us are also welcomed and can be made here.

Organizations seeking volunteers

• Volunteer Collective has an updated list of volunteer opportunities and drives.
• Volunteers are needed by Canine Rescue Club to offer temporary foster care for dogs displaced by the fires. You can apply to temporarily house an affected dog by filling out an online form.
• The LA Regional Food Bank is also accepting food donations and volunteers. These locations are open from 8 .a.m to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday:
  
  • Vernon: 1734 East 41st St., Los Angeles
  • Industry: 2300 Pellissier Place, Industry
• Help people get connected to food and supplies via No Res Gourmet. There are three way to volunteer: help cook, package and distribute meals. Donate funds with 100% of donations going directly to fire relief. Donations aretax-deductible. Drop-off supplies — Bring essential food, prep items, and care supplies to our drop-off location. View more details and lists of items needed.
• Project Angel Food is seeking immediate volunteers for both delivery and in the kitchen over the next several days. Contact Volunteers@angelfood.org to get started.
• Los Angeles Animal Services has issued an urgent plea for fosters and adopters to take pets from their crowded shelters. This will open space in shelters for displaced animals and pets. Visit their foster page to sign up.
• Volunteers are urgently needed by OBKLA (Our Big Kitchen LA) while they prepare hot meals for those in need and for firefighters and emergency personnel. Contact info@obkla.org to volunteer.
• Mercy Chefs is also looking for volunteers and donations for its hot meal service to impacted residents and first responders.
• Sign up to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity's wildfire relief efforts. As specific opportunities arise, you will be notified.
• Local schools, YMCAs and community centers have partnered with the American Red Cross to collect donations for those affected by the wildfires. They need help transporting and distributing goods. Many YMCA's are also offering emergency child care.

Note: This story was first published in October 2019 and updated to include information relevant to victims and evacuees from the Palisades, Eaton and other fires burning in SoCal in January 2025. Sarah Steinman contributed to this report.

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

Since 1977, Richard Santillan has been to every Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium. 

“The tradition goes from my father, to me, to my children and grandchildren. Some of my best memories are with my father and children here at Dodger Stadium,” Santillan told The LA Local, smiling under the shade of palm trees near the entrance to the ballpark Wednesday morning. He was there to protest the team less than 24 hours before Opening Day.

Santillan, like countless other loyal Dodgers fans, is grappling with his fan identity over the team’s decision to accept an invitation to the White House and owner Mark Walter’s ties to ICE detention facilities.

More than 30 people joined Santillan on Wednesday morning for a press conference held near 1000 Vin Scully Drive to convey a message directly to the team. 

“We are demanding the Dodgers stop participating in funding of inhumane treatment of families and do not go to the White House to celebrate with the criminal in chief,” Evelyn Escatiola told the crowd. “Together, we have the power to make a change.”

Escatiola, a former dean of East Los Angeles College and longtime community organizer, urged fans to flex their economic power by “letting the Dodgers know that we do not support repression.”

Jorge “Coqui” Rodriguez, a lifelong Dodgers fan, spoke to the crowd and called on Dodgers ownership to divest from immigration detention centers owned and operated by GEO Group and CoreCivic.

Jorge Coqui H Rodriguez speaks at a press conference outside Dodger Stadium on March 25, 2026, to demand the Dodgers not to visit the White House following their 2025 World Series win.

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J.W. Hendricks

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The LA Local

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In a phone interview a day before the protest, Rodriguez told The LA Local he did not want the Dodgers using his “cheve” or beer money to fund detention centers. 

“They can’t take our parking money, our cacahuate money, our cheve money, our Dodger Dog money and invest those funds into corporations that are imprisoning people. It’s wrong,” Rodriguez said. 

Rodriguez considers the Dodgers one of the most racially diverse teams and said the players need to support fans at a time when heightened immigration enforcement has become more common across L.A.

The team’s 2025’s visit to the White House drew ire from the largely Latino fan base, citing the Trump administration’s ongoing attacks on immigrants. 

In June, the team came under further scrutiny when rumors swirled online that federal immigration agents were using the stadium’s parking, which immigration authorities later denied in statements posted on social media accounts.

The team again came under fire after not releasing a statement on the impacts of ICE raids on its mostly Latino fan base at the height of immigration enforcement last summer. The team later agreed to invest $1 million to support families affected by immigration enforcement.

When he learned the Dodgers were pledging only $1 million to families in need, Rodriguez called the amount a  “slap in the face.” 

“These guys just bought the Lakers for billions of dollars and they give a million dollars to fight for legal services? That’s a joke,” Rodriguez said. “They need to have a moral backbone and not be investing in those companies.”

According to reporting from the Los Angeles Times, former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershawsaid last week that he is looking forward to the trip.

“I went when President [Joe] Biden was in office. I’m going to go when President [Donald] Trump is in office,” Kershaw said. “To me, it’s just about getting to go to the White House. You don’t get that opportunity every day, so I’m excited to go.”

The Dodgers have yet to announce when their planned visit will take place. 

Santillan sometimes laments his decision to give up his season tickets in protest of the team. His connection to the stadium and the memories he has made there with family and friends will last a lifetime, he said. On Thursday, he will uphold his tradition and be there for the first pitch of the season, but with a heavy heart.

“It’s a family tradition, but the Dodgers have a lot of work to do,” he said.

A local favorite mom-and-pop bookshop in Eagle Rock is facing displacement due to a steep rent hike. The owners say theirs is just one of several small businesses along Eagle Rock Boulevard struggling to keep up with lease increases.

Over the past 19 years, many in the neighborhood have come to love READ Books for its eclectic collection of used titles and shop dog Florence.

Co-owner Jeremy Kaplan said it’s been a delight to grow with the community over the years.

“Like seeing kids come back in, who were in grade school and now they’re in college,” Kaplan said.

But the building where Kaplan and wife Debbie rent was recently sold, and the rent increased by more than 130% to $2,805 a month, Kaplan said. He told LAist it was an increase his small business simply could not absorb.

Kaplan said he originally was given 30 days notice of the rent increase. After some research, assistance from Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s office and some pro-bono legal help, Kaplan said he pushed back and got the 90-day notice he’s afforded by state law.

California Senate Bill 1103 requires landlords to give businesses with five or less employees 90 days’ notice for rent increases exceeding 10%, among other protections.

Systems Real Estate, the property management company, did not immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.

What can small businesses do? 

Nadia Segura, directing attorney of the Small Business Program at pro bono legal aid non-profit Bet Tzedek said California law does not currently allow for rent control for commercial tenancies.

Outside of the protections under SB 1103, Segura said small businesses like READ Books don’t have much other recourse. And even then, commercial landlords are not required to inform their tenants of their protections under the law.

“There’s still a lot of people that don’t know about SB 1103. And then it’s very sad that they tell them they have these rent increases and within a month they have to leave,” Segura said.

She said her group is seeing steep rent hikes like this for commercial tenants across the city.

“We are seeing this even more with the World Cup coming up, the Olympics coming up. And I will say it was very sad to see that also after the wildfires,” Segura said.

Part of Bet Tzedek’s ongoing work is to advocate for small businesses, working with landlords who are increasing rents to see if they are willing to give business owners longer leases that lock in rents.

What’s next 

After READ Books posted about their situation on social media, commenters chimed in to express their outrage and love for the little shop.

While he looks for a new spot, Kaplan says he’s forming a coalition of local businesses and activist groups to see what can be done to help other small businesses facing similar displacement. He wants to address the displacement issue for businesses like his, which have made Eagle Rock the distinctive neighborhood that it is today.

Owl Talk, a longtime Eagle Rock staple selling clothing and accessories in a unit in the same building as READ Books, is facing a “more than double” rent increase, according to a post on their Instagram account.

Kaplan said he’s been in touch with the office of state Assemblywoman Jessica Caloza and wants to explore the possibility of introducing legislation to set up protections for small businesses like his, including rent-control measures or a vacancy tax for landlords. Kaplan said he also reached out to the office of state Sen. Maria Durazo.

By his count, Kaplan said there are about a dozen businesses within surrounding blocks that are at risk of closing their doors or have shuttered due to rent increases or other struggles.

When READ Books was founded during the Great Recession, Kaplan said he knew it was a longshot to open a bookstore at the same time so many were struggling to stay in business.

“It was kind of interesting to be doing something that neighborhoods needed. That was important to me growing up, that was important to my children, that was important to my wife growing up,” Kaplan said.

“And then somebody comes in and says, ‘We’re gonna over double your rent.”

Topline:

Frozen budget: Most of the city’s Bureau of Street Lighting budget comes from an assessment that people who own property illuminated by lights pay on their county property tax bill. The amount people pay depends on the kind of property they own and how much they benefit from lighting. A typical single-family home currently pays $53 annually, and in total, the assessments bring in about $45 million annually for the city to repair and maintain streetlights. Changing the amount the Bureau of Street Lighting gets from the assessment requires a vote among property owners who benefit from the lights.

Ballots: L.A. City Council’s vote gives city staff the green light to prepare and send out those ballots. Miguel Sangalang, who oversees the bureau, said at a committee meeting earlier this month that he expects to send out ballots by April 17. Notices about the ballots will be sent out prior to the ballots themselves.

Near unanimous vote: L.A. City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez was the only “No” vote Tuesday, saying she wanted to see a more current strategic plan for the bureau. Sangalang said the bureau developed a plan in 2022 that lays out how money will be spent. Councilmember Imelda Padilla was absent for the vote.

Vote count: Votes will be weighted according to the assessment amount. Basically, the more you’re asked to pay yearly to maintain streetlights, the more your vote will count. Ballots received before June 2 will be tabulated by the L.A. City Clerk.

How much more money: According to a report, the amount needed in assessments from property owners to meet the repair and maintenance needs of the city’s streetlighting in the next fiscal year is nearly $112 million.

Use of the money: Sangalang said at a March 11 committee meeting that the extra funds would be used to double the number of staff to handle repairs and procure solar streetlights, which don’t face the threat of copper wire theft. That would all potentially reduce the time it takes to repair simple fixes down to a week. Currently, city residents wait for months to see broken streetlights repaired. The assessment would come with a three-year auditing mechanism.