Give locally

If your pocketbook allows, please consider donating to a charitable organization helping people in need in our community, including:

• Friends of the Lakewood Libraries (lakewoodlibraryfriends.org). Members volunteer at Lakewood libraries and run the book sales to fund new materials. During COVID, they've been helping with book pickup services. For two years, FOLL has been unable to hold their primary fundraiser. In addition to supporting the libraries, FOLL provides scholarships to Lakewood students.

• Lakewood Pan American Association. Since 1946, this Lakewood service organization's mission is to provide diverse cultural and educational opportunities for the Lakewood community, including annual scholarships for Lakewood students. Due to COVID-19, the group's fundraising opportunities have been severely reduced since March 2020.

• Domestic violence shelters, such as Su Casa. 

• Hospice care services, such as Pathways Volunteer Hospice. 

• Educational foundations, such as those that help with elementary and high school education, and those that provide technology, food and other help to local college students, including students experiencing homelessness. For K-12 assistance, donate to the Lakewood Education Foundation at lakewoodcity.org/DonateLEF.

• For college students, donate to student emergency funds for Long Beach City College, Cerritos College (both of which can direct funds specifically to Lakewood students in need), or California State University, Long Beach.

• Food banks and aid to families in need, such as Lakewood's own Project Shepherd.  Donate to Project Shepherd online.

• Meal deliveries to seniors and the homebound, like Meals on Wheels. Donate to Meals on Wheels online.

Local service clubs 

Lakewood's service clubs are also great ways to support your community. 

Visit the Service Clubs page to learn more.