October 6, 2020
The 2020 wildfires in California started in August, damaging and destroying residences and businesses, including wineries, hotels and restaurants, across the state. In the ongoing Glass fire alone, thousands have been evacuated in Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties. Wine Spectator is providing regular updates of charitable efforts to aid recovery in the state. Here’s how you can help, remotely or locally.
The Napa Valley Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund is providing short-term and long-term assistance for individuals impacted by the fires. To make a tax-deductible gift to the Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund, visit the donation page at napavalleycf.org or contact the organization. If you live in the Napa area, gift cards for groceries and gas are being accepted at the Napa branch of the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership at 433 Soscol Ave., No. 120, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It has been activated as an Emergency Volunteer Center in the county as well, for those who wish to offer their services.
The Napa Valley Community Organizations Active in Disaster is offering assistance and resources for individuals impacted by the fires. Donations can be made online at napavalleycoad.org/donations to help organizers fund essential supplies and gift cards, or contact the organization via email. If you live locally, gift cards may be donated directly at CrossWalk Community Church at 2590 First St. in Napa.
UpValley Family Centers provides disaster relief for families that live in Napa’s “up valley” communities, which include Calistoga, St. Helena, Angwin, Rutherford, Oakville and the surrounding areas. Monetary donations can be made at upvalleyfamilycenters.salsalabs.org/donatenow, or contact the organization.
The United Sommeliers Foundation is making its resources available to support sommeliers, tasting room staff and harvest workers affected by the fires. Monetary donations can be made at unitedsommeliersfoundation.org, or contact the organization.
Direct Relief provides N95 masks, medicine and other resources to healthcare agencies and first responders in wildfire-affected communities across California. Monetary donations can be made at directrelief.org/emergency/california-wildfires. Call (800) 676-1638 for more information.
The California Fire Foundation helps first responders by providing emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect. Monetary donations can be made at cafirefoundation.org, or contact the organization.
Pets and farm animals are displaced by fires as well; the Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch provides disaster relief, medical care, food and supplies throughout Napa and Sonoma counties for all animals in need. Monetary donations can be made at jamesonanimalrescueranch.org, or contact the organization.
The North Bay nonprofit Redwood Credit Union Community Fund provides relief for fire survivors who lost their homes in Sonoma, Marin, Napa and Lake counties. Monetary donations can be made at rcucommunityfund.org, or contact the organization.
The Redwood Empire Food Bank provides food to displaced Sonoma County residents. Monetary donations can be made at refb.org. Call (707) 523-7900 for more information.
The Ceres Project assists with nutrition services for displaced residents in Marin and Sonoma counties. Monetary donations can be made at ceresproject.org, or contact the organization.
Sonoma Family Meal is another nonprofit that has been providing critical services throughout 2020. It is serving fresh meals to wildfire evacuees in Sonoma and other counties. Monetary donations can be made at sonomafamilymeal.networkforgood.com, or contact founder and CEO Heather Irwin.
The California Community Foundation provides mid-term and long-term assistance to those affected by the wildfires. Monetary donations can be made at calfund.org/wildfire-relief-fund, or contact the organization.
The Latino Community Foundation is reactivating its Wildfire Relief Fund to deploy contributions to Latino-led organizations supporting families displaced by the current wildfires across the state of California. Monetary donations can be made at latinocf.org/norcal-wildfire-relief-fund, or contact the organization.
Text WILDFIRES to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross.