Long Beach seeks donated items for homeless during summer months

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services will host a donation drive-thru on Saturday to collect essential items for people experiencing homelessness.

The donation drive is scheduled for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the department’s Main Facilities Center, 2525 Grand Ave.

Donated items will be available for individuals in need at the Multi-Service Center and from local partner organizations that will help distribute items collected during the drive-thru event.

“Since 2023, our incredible community has been coming together to collect items for people experiencing homelessness, contributing over 39,000 items, which we distribute to people experiencing homelessness and our partners, including nonprofits and faith-based organizations, who serve our neighbors experiencing homelessness,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “Donating an essential item is one small way you can make a big difference.”

Officials requested these items for donation:

• Hygiene kits or house-warming gift kits from the Multi-Service Center Amazon Wish List;
• Backpacks containing sunscreen, reusable water bottles, sun hats, flashlights, battery packs, batteries — usually size D — and charging cables;
• S, M, L, XL or XXL sweatpants, shirts, socks as well as men’s and women’s underwear, caps, hoodies, towels or blankets. “Gently used items are appreciated, too,” officials said;
• Pet care kits with pet food, treats, collars, leashes, pet toys or collapsible pet bowls;
• “Welcome home” kits with the items mentioned previously accompanied by “a special hand-written motivating message to go in the kit”; and
• Food items — canned food along with small, manual can openers, bottled drinks such as juices or water and snacks including granola bars or power bars, instant oatmeal and instant soup.

Gift cards will not be accepted at the drive-thru event, but cards can be donated at the Multi-Service Center by scheduling a drop-off time via 562-570-4586.

Year-round donation drop off bins are available at several locations citywide. Bins are located at all open Long Beach Public Library branches during regular business hours and also at:

• Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach, 3635 Long Beach Blvd., Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and
• Scherer Park Community Center, 4654 Pasadena Ave., Monday-Friday 3-6 p.m.

Local charitable organizations interested in receiving donated items from the drive-thru event can request the items online.

Since donation efforts began in February 2023, the city has collected over 39,000 donated items, 22,500 of which have been distributed to unhoused people and local organizations that offer services and support to area residents experiencing homelessness.