Basic Needs

Disaster Relief Resources

 

Children Support

Los Angeles Unified School District - Grab and Go Meals
From 8 to 11 a.m. on January 10, Los Angeles Unified has 16 sites to provide meals for students. District families may stop by and walk into any of these locations to receive two meals per student. This will only be available for Los Angeles Unified students - A student does not need to be present for families to pick up the meals.


YMCA Free Child Care Program
YMCA Centers are offering free childcare for children of essential workers and children of families who have ben displaced by the wildfires. Contact [email protected] for more information. The program will be extended if schools remain closed. 


NCTSN - Wildfire Resources


NCTSN - Parent Guidelines for Helping Children Going Through Wildfires


NCTSN - Tips For Parents For Managing Media Coverage


NASP - Helping Children After a Wildfire: Tips for Caregivers and Teachers


APA - Recovering emotionally after a residential fire


Good Inside - Resources for Parents Navigating the California Wildfires


PBS Kids For Parents - Talking to Young Children About the Wildfires 
Article to support parents of young children.


Elder Support

Disability Community Resource Center (DCRC)
310-390-3611
A designated Disability Disaster Access & Recovery Center assisting individuals with disabilities and older adults in disaster readiness and recovery


Emergency Transportation

Big Blue Bus
In response to the Palisades Fire, Big Blue Bus has suspended fare collection for this weekend, Thursday, January 9, through Sunday, January 12. Fare collection will resume on Monday, January 13.

At 7th and San Vicente, Big Blue Bus is providing shuttles to the Westwood Evacuation Center. Check the City of SM social media for updates.


Los Angeles Metro
Los Angeles Metro fares are suspend through Sunday, January 12.


Lyft
Riders in need can use the code CAFIRERELIEF25, valid for 2 rides up to $25 each ($50 total) for 500 riders from now until 1/15 at 11:59 p.m. Help for Those Impacted by Wildfire in California


Uber
Evacuees can redeem a free Uber ride up to $40 by applying the promo code “WILDFIRE25” in the Wallet section of their Uber app before requesting a ride to a designated shelter location.  


 Veo
Veo micromobility is providing free trips up to $10 to all riders in Santa Monica, as well as an additional $5 discount for anyone riding to the designated Evacuation Shelter at the Westwood Recreation Center. All unlock fees are waived throughout Santa Monica. Use promo code SAFE25.


Culver City Toyota
Culver City Toyota is giving free rental cars to people affected by the LA-area fires with lost home and vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis while the supply of rental cars lasts. To make the request, call Culver City Toyota rental department directly at 424-298-6878. Any questions, please ask for George Boktor, General Manager at Culver City Toyota. 


Evacuation Centers/Shelters

Westwood Recreation Center LA City Shelter
1350 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Accepts small animals


Rose Bowl Stadium
1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103


Pasadena Convention Center
300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101


El Camino Real Charter High School
5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 


Red Cross Disaster relief and shelter locator


Emergency housing resource through AirBnB
Dial “211” to be connected


The Dream Center
213-273-7000
If you need (or know of someone who needs) emergency shelter due to the fires, please reach out to The Dream Center, a faith-based congregation. Additionally, we may have a supply of N95 masks available.


Working List of Hotel/Motels with Discounts for Victims of Fires
List updated regularly. Not published or maintained by Santa Monica College.


Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness is opening its door to residents, first responders and others affected by the wildfires raging across Los Angeles County.
The fitness chain is providing people free access to locker rooms, showers, HydroMassage loungers, electrical outlets and Wi-Fi. The offer is valid until Jan. 15 at Planet Fitness locations across Los Angeles County that haven’t been impacted by the wildfires.


Lange Foundation
Pet Supplies or boarding. Call 310-473-5585 for availability.


Financial

California Fire Foundation - Disaster Relief Assistance
The Foundation provides immediate financial support to victims through $250 SAVE gift cards distributed by firefighters on the scene.


California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund
This fund supports intermediate and long-term recovery efforts for communities affected by wildfires, focusing on rebuilding and restoring the lives of California’s most affected and underserved populations


Food

Westside Food Bank
Food pantry locator and other resources for the west Los Angeles area.


Los Angeles Food Bank
Locate the nearest food banks all around Los Angeles County. 


St. Joseph Center
310-396-6468 ext. 352


SOVA Food Pantry
818-988-7682


Salvation Army Food Pantry
310-451-1358


Instacart
For a limited time, it is waiving the delivery fee on all grocery and daily essentials orders of $10 or more for Instacart customers in Los Angeles County.

To take advantage of this offer, Instacart says eligible customers can visit instacart.com or log in to the Instacart app from their mobile device. If their default address is set to Los Angeles, they’ll see a notification regarding the $0 delivery fee on all grocery orders with a $10 minimum spend. From there, select a store, add items to the card and go to checkout, where they’ll see the $0 delivery fee applied to the order.

 


Grab and go meals for affected families:
  • Lincoln (on California Ave)
  • JAMS (off 17th street)
  • Samohi (7th and Michigan)
  • Malibu High School (admin building parking area)

General Information

LA County Emergency Information
Information on evacuation areas and emergency resources for Los Angeles County.


City of Santa Monica Palisades Fire Resources
Information and Resources updated by the city of Santa Monica.


We Are LA Promotora Resource List
Regularly updated resource list for evacuation, housing, food, air quality, clean up, mental health, legal aid, and other issues. Not updated or maintained by SMC. 


Mental Health

SMC Center for Wellness & Wellbeing 
CWW provides culturally appropriate and effective mental health services to our student body as well as professional consultation to faculty and staff.


SMMUSD - Mental Health & Community Resources
A full list of low-cost counseling and social service resources can be found here

Hazel
If you are unable to access mental health support in person, Hazel Health is providing free virtual therapy to all SMMUSD students


LA county Disaster Distress Helpline
1-800-985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" to 66746
For emotional support or resources


Preparedness/Planning

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA provides information to help individuals prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters in California, including disaster recovery centers and flood maps. Applications must be submitted through DisasterAssistance.gov to receive aid and reimbursement. 


Los Angeles Emergency Management Department
Provides updates and resources related to emergencies, including wildfires, affecting the Los Angeles area


CalFire
Informative website for fire safety and preparedness


Pepperdine Caruso Law Legal Clinics - Pro Bono Disaster Response Programs
  • Tuesday, January 14, 7 p.m.: An online community education session on FEMA assistance, applications, and appeals, plus related issues around insurance, leases, mortgages, etc. This will be useful for people who have lost their homes or are assisting people who did. Register online for January 14 Legal Clinic. 
  • Thursday, January 16, 6 p.m.: An online training for local lawyers on FEMA practice, standards, procedure, and advocacy. This aims to improve lawyers' immediate capacity to help the community. Register online for January 16 Legal Clinic.
Upcoming In-Person Legal Clinics (registration links to come):
  • Saturday, January 18, 10 a.m., at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Malibu: A pro bono, limited-scope legal clinic with clinic faculty and local attorneys to provide advice, counsel, and guidance to neighbors on FEMA applications, insurance claims, and related legal issues.
  • Sunday, January 19, 1 p.m., at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Malibu: Another pro bono limited-scope legal clinic.

(These clinics are strictly pro bono, and we will not share client information with other lawyers or permit volunteer lawyers to solicit fee-generating cases.)


Recovery/Relief

Commissioner Ricardo Lara Insurance Support Workshop
Schedule a free, confidential appointment with department of insurance experts. To schedule an appointment please call (800) 927-4357

Date:
Saturday January 17th - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday January 18th - 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
Location:
SMC Performing Arts Center
1310 11th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401

California Fire Foundation - Wildfire & Disaster Relief Programs
They offer various programs to support survivors, firefighters, and communities affected by natural disasters


Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
The Santa Monica and LAX Chamber of Commerces will hold walk-in hours to assist with online disaster relief applications at the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce office at 2525 Main Street, #103, Ocean Park, Santa Monica. Visit the website for more information and other area resources.


LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce
The Santa Monica and LAX Chamber of Commerces will hold walk-in hours to assist with online disaster relief applications at the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce office at 2525 Main Street, #103, Ocean Park, Santa Monica. Visit the website for more information and other area resources. 


Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
If you have been affected by the recent fires, you can request vital and property records free of charge.

Call 800-201-8999 and select Option 1, followed by Option 2, or email [email protected] for assistance.
A CAN DO provides essential furnishings to displaced individuals so they may recover with comfort, warmth, and dignity.

Cal OES
This California Wildfire Recovery Website has information on finding temporary Housing, Debris Removal, Financial Assistance, Local Assistance Centers and Contact Information for multiple organizations working on the recovery efforts


 AT&T
AT&T are waiving overage charges to provide unlimited talk, text and data through February 6, 2025 for Postpaid & Prepaid customers in affected areas. They are also waving various charges for residential and business wireline orders placed through January 7, 2026.


KCRW - Cheat sheet: These are the steps fire victims need to take to make an insurance claim
Article to support victims of the wildfires. 


KTLA - 10 Tips for Wildfire Insurance Claims
Article to support victims of the wildfires.


Type 1 Diabetes Supply Pick Up
Providing Type 1 Diabetes supplies and medications to those who need it.

Pick Up Location:
Culver City
Foshay Lodge
9635 Venice Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232

Hours of Operation:

  • Monday - Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Thursday: 1 - 6 p.m.
  • Friday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Saturday & Sunday: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Offering Support

The Santa Monica Community College Disaster Support Fund has been established to support SMC students, faculty, and staff who have been impacted by the fires across Los Angeles County. This fund will help provide temporary housing, food, water, clothing, transportation, medical supplies, school materials, and emergency funding to support immediate needs.

SMC Foundation is collecting food, clothing and hygiene products that will be distributed to members of the Los Angeles community in need. SMC is part of the heart of Santa Monica, with students who attend from across the greater LA Region. Our goal is to support not only our immediate SMC family, but our neighboring communities in Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Brentwood, and greater Los Angeles County. Please visit the SMC Foundation's Disaster Support page for more information.