72 Monterey County GIVES! 2025 mcgives.com COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM with complicated issues like these. The nonprofit provides no-cost legal representation by licensed California attorneys to older adults in Monterey County. Legal Services for Seniors extends its Big Idea services to every corner of the county to reach those experiencing personal crises even when they are further isolated from help, such as living in small towns and rural communities without access to a lawyer. “Legal Services for Seniors helped me move forward in a time of grief and completed the proper legal documents to secure my property and living situation. I don’t know what I would have done without them.” -Josie R. LOAVES, FISHES AND COMPUTERS (LFC) Year Founded: 2009 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 10 paid, 60 volunteers Budget: $734,811 (831) 393-9260 lfctech.org BIG IDEA: For Loaves, Fishes and Computers (LFC), access to computers means empowerment. And since 2009, this Big Idea has provided more than 15,000 computers to locals in need. The empowerment continues with LFC’s record of teaching 1,450 digital literacy classes, not including teaching the basics of the internet and apps to 1,600 seniors since 2021. From teens learning social media safety to small business owners mastering business software in their preferred language, LFC is the leader in leveling the digital playing field. “I am incredibly grateful to LFC for providing me with both a computer and the training I needed. With this support, I can now connect to my Zoom meetings and complete my work efficiently.” -Catherine Clay MID COAST FIRE BRIGADE Year Founded: 1978 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 25 volunteers Budget: $230,000 (831) 624-8287 midcoastfirebrigade.org BIG IDEA: The Mid Coast Fire Brigade serves a unique stretch of coast, including Garrapata, Palo Colorado, Rocky Creek, Bixby and Hurricane Point. This demanding terrain means a Big Idea is needed to adapt to many different emergency situations. Donations help Mid-Coast Fire Brigade upgrade the wide array of safety equipment this department uses for calls as diverse as water rescue and vehicle accidents, as well as general medical equipment needs. “The Mid Coast Fire Brigade provides more than fire protection. Their emergency medical team has helped many residents, and the knowledge the volunteers provide for medical and fire safety is second to none. They also engage our community for barbecues and trick-or-treating. The brigade spends a great deal of hours perfecting their emergency training skills. They also offer fire protection advice for our properties.” -Brett Hedrick MONTEREY COLLEGE OF LAW Year Founded: 1972 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 28 paid, 50 volunteers Budget: $3,500,000 (831) 582-4000 montereylaw.edu BIG IDEA: Monterey College of Law offers free and low-cost community legal clinics for people who cannot hire private legal help. In the last year, this service has responded to more than 5,000 requests, resulting in nearly 600 appointments and 340 mediated cases. Monterey College of Law’s students, graduates, faculty and staff support these hundreds of hours of pro-bono legal services. This Big Idea is dedicated to making sure that everyone can access legal help, regardless of their resources or background. “The Community Legal Clinic helped me understand the options that were available to me. They were very knowledgeable and professional. They answered all my questions regarding my case and also explained what legal court documents I could fill out on my behalf. The team going over my case worked together to provide me with the best assistance. I highly recommend them to anyone who needs guidance on how to navigate their case.” -Jessica Ortiz MEALS ON WHEELS OF THE SALINAS VALLEY Year Founded: 1972 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 8 paid, 110 volunteers Budget: $1,600,000 (831) 758-6326 mowsalinas.org BIG IDEA: Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley provides More than a Meal to the hundreds of seniors served each week. Its namesake program delivers nutritious meals to homebound neighbors (and their pets) across 1,600 square miles. In recent years, this Big Idea has expanded to include additional opportunities for seniors to eat healthy foods and socialize. Donations help this organization throw its popular monthly socials in Castroville, Greenfield, King City, Salinas and Soledad where 500 seniors gather monthly for lunch with friends. “My dad is going to hospice soon, so I’d like to thank everyone, especially the volunteers, for taking the time to deliver meals to him during this time. Thank you so much for your help. We are so grateful.” -Marvin C. SPOTLIGHT “I don’t know what I would have done without them.” -Josie R., Legal Services for Seniors
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