10 Nov Santa Monica College Foundation Marks 10 Years of GIVING THANKS(giving)
The Annual Holiday Tradition Returns November 23–24, 2026, with a $250,000 Fundraising Goal and Plans to Serve More Than 2,500 SMC Students and Employees
The Santa Monica College (SMC) Foundation will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its GIVING THANKS(giving) initiative November 23–24, 2026, continuing a meaningful tradition of bringing the college community together to support students during the holiday season.
For this milestone year, GIVING THANKS(giving) will return to its roots by providing a warm holiday meal to more than 2,500 SMC students and employees. What began in 2017 with 38 students in a backyard has now served nearly 10,000 and counting. The Foundation has set a $250,000 fundraising goal to help sustain this signature initiative and strengthen the resources available to students experiencing food insecurity and other financial challenges.
As the rising cost of living makes it increasingly difficult for students to meet basic needs, GIVING THANKS(giving) offers immediate support while bringing the community together around a shared commitment to student well-being and success.
“GIVING THANKS(giving) is about so much more than a holiday meal. It’s about making sure our students feel supported, valued, and connected to a community that believes in their potential,” said Dr. Lizzy Moore, SMC Foundation president and co-founder of the event. “When we help meet students’ basic needs, we help remove barriers to their education and give them greater opportunity to focus on their studies, reach their goals, and build a brighter future.”
For its milestone 10th anniversary, GIVING THANKS(giving) will transform the heart of Santa Monica College’s campus into a festive gathering space celebrating gratitude, generosity, and community. A beautifully tented lawn adorned with bistro lights and colorful paper lanterns will create a warm, welcoming atmosphere filled with music, laughter, and connection. Over the two days, 2,500 students and SMC employees will enjoy a chef-curated holiday meal served on real dinnerware with silverware, creating a warm, inviting dining experience that captures the spirit of Thanksgiving. Beyond the meal, the celebration will feature live music, DJs, games, wellness activities, coloring stations, a photo booth, a community created gratitude quilt, quiet zones for relaxation, sound bath experiences, and student giveaways. Students will also receive a $25 Albertsons grocery gift card and the opportunity to receive a winter coat from SMC Foundation’s year-long winter coat-drive initiative, which provides gently used winter coats and jackets for students in need.
Community members, alumni, businesses, and supporters are invited to contribute to GIVING THANKS(giving), with gifts supporting SMC’s Basic Needs Program and Emergency Grant Fund. These programs provide essential resources throughout the year, including groceries, hygiene and parenting supplies, mental health services, and emergency financial assistance.
“When we started GIVING THANKS(giving) in 2017 with just 38 students, we never imagined how this simple act of kindness would grow into such a meaningful tradition,” said Wendi DeMorst, co-founder of GIVING THANKS(giving). “Ten years later, our mission remains the same: to ensure every student feels seen, supported and part of a community that truly cares. This celebration has always been about so much more than a Thanksgiving meal. It’s about creating a sense of belonging, building connections and reminding students that they have a family at Santa Monica College.”
More than 70% of SMC’s 26,000 students come from low-income households, and more than half are the first in their families to attend college. For many students, unexpected expenses and financial pressures can make it hard to stay enrolled and complete their education. Through GIVING THANKS(giving) and related support programs, the SMC Foundation helps connect students with resources that allow them to focus on their academic goals.
“As a college student, balancing school, work, and everyday expenses can be challenging, and sometimes even the basics can be difficult to afford. It’s amazing to see an event like GIVING THANKS(giving) bring so many people together to help thousands of students like me. That kind of support means so much and helps me keep moving forward toward my goals,” said Aaron, SMC Student.
This year’s sponsors include: Albertsons Companies Foundation, Bari Lipp Foundation, Recharge, SMC Associated Students, SMC Emeritus Program, Smart & Final Charitable Foundation, bxp, Kaiser Permanente, Mark & Freya Ivener, Payden & Rygel and Santa Monica Dermatology Group.
EVENT DETAILS
What: 10th Annual GIVING THANKS(giving)
When: Monday, November 23 & Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Seatings: Noon–3:00 PM and 5–8:00 PM
Where: Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA – SMC Main Campus Quad
Who: More than 2,500 SMC students, employees, and volunteers
Make a gift: foundation.smc.edu/thanksgiving
Volunteer or Donate a Coat
Community members are invited to volunteer their time to help make the 10th anniversary of GIVING THANKS(giving) a success. From helping serve the holiday meals to supporting event-day activities, volunteers play an important role in creating a welcoming experience for SMC students. The Foundation is also collecting 1,500 new and gently used coats to help students stay warm during the colder months. Every volunteer hour and donated coat makes a difference in helping students feel supported and cared for.
Coat Collection Site
Saturday, November 14 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Compass Realty, 2115 Main Street, Santa Monica
As GIVING THANKS(giving) marks its 10th anniversary, the Foundation invites the community to help sustain this tradition and strengthen the network of support available to SMC students. Every contribution helps ensure students can access essential resources during times of financial hardship.
To learn more about GIVING THANKS(giving), volunteer or donate a coat, contact the Santa Monica College Foundation at (310) 434-4215 or email foundation@smc.edu.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Katherine Moe at moe_katherine@smc.edu.
About the Santa Monica College Foundation
The Santa Monica College Foundation is the philanthropic partner of Santa Monica College. For more than 70 years, the Foundation has connected donors with opportunities to support students, faculty, and programs at SMC. Its mission is to eliminate barriers to ensure academic success for Santa Monica College students. For more information, visit https://foundation.smc.edu.
About Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College is a California Community College accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). A longstanding Hispanic-Serving Institution, SMC is now also a designated California Black-Serving Institution. For 35 consecutive years, SMC has been California’s leading transfer college to UCLA, UC Berkeley, and other University of California campuses. The college also leads in transfers to the University of Southern California and Loyola Marymount University and is the top feeder outside of New York to Ivy League Columbia University.
As the leading job trainer on Los Angeles’s Westside, the college offers robust career education opportunities, with more than 110 degrees and certificates in traditional and emerging fields. SMC provides news and cultural enrichment through its NPR radio station KCRW (89.9 FM), the Eli & Edythe Broad Stage at the SMC Performing Arts Center, and lifelong learning through distinctive programs such as its Emeritus Program for older adults. For more information, visit https://www.smc.edu.
