Strengthening Community and Bringing Awareness to Critical Causes
By Camille DeVaul and Hayley Mattson
Supporting local nonprofits is crucial to enhancing and enriching our communities. These organizations tackle urgent needs like food insecurity, homelessness, cancer care, and support for women and families, often stepping in where government assistance falls short.
Each year, we take the opportunity to spotlight and raise awareness of their vital work, underscoring the importance of community involvement. By contributing time, money, or resources, we help sustain these essential services, which in turn strengthen the community fabric, build resilience, and create a network of care for our most vulnerable neighbors. Local nonprofits not only provide direct assistance but also empower individuals to make lasting positive changes in their lives.
Here is the first of our two-part series highlighting local nonprofits.
ALF Food Pantry (Atascadero Loaves and Fishes)
This year, ALF Food Pantry celebrates 40 years of service to Atascadero and surrounding communities. Run by nearly 100 volunteers, the pantry distributes food five days a week, serving over 40 households daily, including individuals, families, veterans, and seniors. One third are children. ALF is the largest all-volunteer organization in SLO County. In 2023, ALF provided over 518,000 pounds of food. Originally housed in a church basement, ALF now operates from its own building and seeks a larger space. ALF receives substantial support from the SLO Food Bank and was recognizedby the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce as its Community Organization of 2024. Community donations and volunteers are crucial to its mission of curbing hunger.
ALF Food Pantry (Atascadero Loaves and Fishes)
5411 El Camino Real, Atascadero
(805) 461-1504
alffoodpantry.org
El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO)
Join ECHO’s Long Walk Home on September 21, an event supporting the El Camino Homeless Organization and those they serve. This walk through Atascadero demonstrates the community’s dedication to making a difference. The event concludes at ECHO’s Atascadero campus with a community BBQ featuring delicious food, games, and live music, providing an opportunity for connection in a festive atmosphere. Each ticket includes lunch and a commemorative t-shirt. ECHO, a nonprofit organization since 2001, empowers people in SLO County to make positive changes by providing food, shelter, and supportive services. Show support for ECHO’s mission to end homelessness with locations in both Atascadero and Paso Robles.
ECHO Atascadero
6370 Atascadero Avenue, Atascadero
(805) 462-FOOD (3663)
echoshelter.org
Tree of Life
Tree of Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has supported women and families for over 35 years. They offer compassionate assistance to women facing pregnancy decisions, providing resources to help choose life for their babies and support for parenting or adoption. They also offer post-abortion counseling for those struggling with emotional effects. Services include free pregnancy tests, car seats, strollers, cribs, maternity and baby clothing, and diapers. Dedicated to serving the Central Coast, Tree of Life provides all their services free of charge, ensuring women and families receive the care and support they need.
Tree of Life
7730 Morro Road, Suite 106, Atascadero
(805) 543-6000
treeoflifepsc.com
Cancer Support Community — CA Central Coast
The Cancer Support Community – CA Central Coast (CSC-CCC) offers hope and support to individuals and families affected by cancer. Dedicated to improving quality of life, they provide a nurturing environment for sharing experiences and accessing resources. Their comprehensive programs include support groups, educational workshops, wellness activities, and counseling services, addressing both emotional and practical needs. CSC-CCC fosters emotional well-being, empowerment, and community, serving as a vital lifeline that connects participants with fellow warriors, survivors, and caregivers who understand the complexities of living with cancer.
Cancer Support Community California Central Coast
1051 Las Tablas Road, Templeton
(805) 238-4411
cscslo.org
By The Sea Productions
By The Sea Productions (BTSP) is Morro Bay’s sole live theater company, dedicated to building community through a passion for theater. A 501(c)3 nonprofit, BTSP relocated from Cambria in January 2017, finding a home at St. Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church. With affordable ticket prices, BTSP offers a variety of plays and staged readings each season, drawing local and tourist audiences. Operated entirely by volunteers, BTSP supports local businesses and community initiatives, including scholarships for Morro Bay High School. Upcoming shows include “A Rock Sails By,” directed by Samvel Gottlieb, highlighting themes of science, faith, and personal challenges.
By the Sea Productions
P.O. Box 2032 Morro Bay
(805) 776-3287
bytheseaproductions.org
United Way of San Luis Obispo County
United Way of San Luis Obispo County supports education, income, and community, positively impacting children’s physical and mental development. They aim to foster structural change by addressing root causes to safeguard the community’s future. The vision is a strong, healthy, compassionate community that gives youth a foundation to thrive. Since 2011, their Imagination Library program, developed by Dolly Parton, has provided over 27,000 age-appropriate books to local children from birth to five years old. United Way covers the enrollment cost, especially for low-income families. This program excites children about reading and strengthens families through shared reading experiences. Donations help sustain this valuable program.
United Way of San Luis Obispo County
1288 Morro Street #10
San Luis Obispo
(805) 541-1234
unitedwayslo.org
Atascadero Elks Lodge
Since 1987, the Atascadero Elks have donated over $1,000,000 to community programs, nonprofits, youth groups, sports teams, and initiatives for disabled and needy children, veterans, and patriotism. They also participate in drug awareness programs and provide dictionaries to third graders. Their mission emphasizes Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love, Fidelity, belief in God, community welfare, American patriotism, and fellowship. The Elks host various events for members, including monthly fish and shrimp fry, steak nights, weekly corn hole tournaments, Monday Night pub grub meals, charity bingo, and an annual veterans’ dinner. Their lounge is open most evenings.
The Atascadero Elks Lodge
1516 El Camino Real, Atascadero
(805) 466-3557
elks2733.org
Friends of Atascadero Lake
In 2014 Friends of Atascadero Lake became a nonprofit. Since that time, Friends of Atascadero Lake have drilled a well and provided the infrastructure to provide fresh cool water to Atascadero Lake in the dry summer months, raised funds and paid for the electricity for that well, added an aeration system, organized a yearly lake perimeter clean-up day and founded LakeFest, researched “fixes” for the lake that have been presented to and utilized by the city. The group is looking for new volunteers to join them so they can resume regular activities, and collaborate with other groups to revive LakeFest. They support the lake’s vitality through various initiatives, working alongside the city to ensure its health.
Friends of Atascadero Lake
friendsofatascaderolake.com
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