06 Feb Santa Monica College Foundation Raises $714K for Fire Disaster Relief
When the devastating Southern California wildfires broke out, Santa Monica College Foundation immediately jumped into action to provide essential aid to displaced students, employees and community members including children, staff and families in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Thousands of generous donations – including food, new and gently used clothing for men, women, children, and babies, hygiene products, baby supplies, blankets, and other necessities – were collected during the SMC Foundation Fire Support Resource Drive held Jan. 13 and 14, 2025.
The following week, SMC hosted a four-day Fire Disaster Support Distribution event and the outpouring of support from the community was incredible. More than 3,800 volunteers supported both the donation drive and giveaway events over 14 days of service, giving food and clothing to over 4,000 community members in need. World Central Kitchen, the non-profit started by renowned chef Jose Andres, provided hot meals to all attendees and volunteers and served more than 14,500 meals on-site. Providence St. John’s Health Center mobile van service provided masks, small care kits, and immunizations for children during the distribution of goods for the SMC expanded community. Over 6,200 bags were donated by IKEA, more than 63,000 lbs of food, hygiene products, and baby items were distributed by Westside Food Bank and Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and 20 pallets of remaining clothing were transported by Amazon Local Good to military families and veterans in need.
A huge thank you to our partners: SMC Foundation, SMC, Westside Food Bank, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, IKEA, Baby 2 Baby, Doublesoul, Black Crows Skis, St. John’s Health Center, Round Table Pizza, Senator Ben Allen, Everytable, World Central Kitchen, Alfalfa, Rae’s Restaurant, Lula Cocina Mexicana, Swat Fame, Santa Monica Black Empowerment Association, El Cholo, Kut from the Kloth, City of Santa Monica, Peacock PR, and Vicente Foods!
The SMC Foundation also received a transformative $250,000 grant from the Ballmer Group. This generous contribution will provide immediate relief such as temporary housing, food, clothing, and school supplies as well as long-term support, including access to technology, tutoring and mental health resources for students whose lives and education have been disrupted. 100% of donations and grants will go directly to students and staff who were victims of the fires.
This initiative aligns with the Foundation’s broader mission to foster resilience and growth within communities across Southern California. By working in coordination with the Ballmer Group’s $15 million emergency funding for wildfire relief, the Santa Monica College Foundation is doubling down on efforts to uplift the historic and racially diverse communities most impacted, such as Altadena.
We were honored to work with SMC Foundation to provide support to those in need and raise $714K for wildfire relief.
