Community Resource Center is an Encinitas-based nonprofit that fights hunger, homelessness and domestic violence in North County by providing shelter, food and nutrition services, case management and other resources for those in need.

During the 2018 holiday season, through their Holiday Baskets program over 6,000 people in need, including 3,000 children, received basic necessities, including food and fresh produce, warm clothing and blankets, diapers and infant items, and treasured extras including toys, books, stuffed animals and bicycles. The Holiday Baskets is the largest distribution program of its kind in San Diego County and provides a dignified and free “shopping experience” for low-income families, seniors and homeless individuals.

 “When we got to Holiday Baskets, I just started crying,” said Brittany, a Holiday Basket Program participant. “We had nothing, so to have something to give our kids for Christmas was incredible.”

Holiday Baskets helps meet the immediate needs of low-income families in crisis, while linking them to Community Resource Center services that will help them reach self-sufficiency in the future. 

Brittany began working with a Community Resource Center case manager to help her family get back on their feet. After a year of living in a van, Brittany’s family had a place to call home in December of 2018.

“This will be our first Christmas in a home for my youngest children,” said Brittany.

Community Resource Center also received a gift in 2018 thanks to the support of over 140 local individuals and businesses which helped them purchase a new replacement delivery truck. The truck will be used to pick up food and item donations to benefit local families in need. The replacement truck, which the community voted to name “Ruby” helps Community Resource Center continue rescuing 500,000 pounds of food each year from North County grocery stores and partners. Every month, nearly 500 households – struggling families, individuals who are homeless, those fleeing domestic violence, seniors and children—depend on Community Resource Center’s Food & Nutrition Center for healthy food.