Where your donations to L.A. fire victims will do the most good

There has been an outpouring of support for those who’ve lost their homes or been otherwise affected by the Los Angeles fires. Some nonprofit organizations have been overwhelmed with supplies, but certain things are still needed, and donations of money and work by trained volunteers are always welcome.

”There are donations of food, water supplies, literally spilling over and out into our local fire stations,” L.A. Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said at a Sunday news conference, LAistreports.

Pasadena, an L.A. suburb much affected by the fires, posted on X Thursday that the city government is no longer accepting donations.

But there are still needs to be filled. Nonprofits welcome monetary donations and volunteers, although many require training before volunteers get to work.

It’s also important to avoid scams. “To anybody who would take advantage of people for their greedy gain, who see dollar signs, I have a message for you: You will be held responsible,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said at a press conference Saturday, NBC News reports. “You will be prosecuted.”

NBC News has vetted the following organizations. Check their websites or call to see exactly what’s needed — goods, money, or volunteers. Keep in mind, though, that if you call, the staff may be too busy to answer immediately.

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California Community Foundation

California Fire Foundation

L.A. Fire Department Foundation

Pasadena Humane Society

Ventura County Community Foundation

American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles

Center for Disaster Philanthropy

Direct Relief

World Central Kitchen

LAist also suggests checking out L.A. Works' list of organizations that need volunteers or supplies. L.A. Works advises everyone not to drop off unsolicited supplies or going to affected areas if you're not part of an organized volunteer team. It further offers a link to guidelines on hosting displaced families through Airbnb.

In addition, this Google Doc, continually updated, has a list of organizations and what they need.

While emergency shelters have a surplus of some supplies, certain items are still needed. These include diapers, wipes, towels, and hairbrushes, Wendy Escobedo, emergency operations manager of food relief for World Central Kitchen, told NBC. “In the beginning, it was just an influx of people bringing everything and anything,” she said. “And now they’re going to start focusing on really, ‘You know what? What are the needs?’” But again, check before you go.

“If you can make a direct connection to a family who is in need, that is a much better approach, because you know exactly who it’s going to and there’s a place for it,” Brea Burkholz of Direct Relief added in an NBC interview. “A lot of these people who have been displaced, they don’t have a space. They don’t have a home.”

If you want to donate directly to a displaced family, GoFundMe has a page of verified fundraisers for them.

At least 24 people have died as a result of the fires, and thousands have lost their homes. Follow updates via the Los Angeles Times.