If you are looking for simple ways to give back in Lincoln, CA and across Sacramento County and Placer County this holiday season, I got you! Here is my top 7 list of simple options across the area for you to give to. You can donate food, serve at local drives, and support events in Catta Verdera, Loomis, Rocklin, Roseville, and Auburn.
1) My Verdera Community Food Drive in Lincoln, CA
Host: Yours truly! I am organizing this as a community outreach programs and to help local families struggling with the SNAP benefit disruption.
What to donate: Shelf stable and canned food
Drop off options: front porch pickup in Catta Verdera by request; curbside drop at the gate; or a quick trunk pickup while you stay in the car.
Why it matters: Local food pantries see higher need before the holidays, especially with the SNAP benefit disruption. Even one bag can stock a full meal for a neighbor.
Message me for a porch pickup in Verdera. (916) 367-8885
2) The Closet Collective in Loomis professional wear for women
Date and time: Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Smithville Event Center (https://smithvilleco.com/), 3637 Taylor Rd, Loomis, CA 95650, near the Gateway office off Taylor Road.
Hosted by: Gateway Properties with community partners.
What it is: Bring new or gently used professional clothing for women. Guests may pick a few items at no cost, swap clothing if they wish, and get a free headshot.
Who benefits: women reentering the workforce, recent graduates, and anyone who could use a confidence boost.
How to help: donate clean, on trend pieces and accessories; or volunteer to sort, style, and greet guests.
3) Countywide food drives to support this month
Quick links:
KCRA 3 Turkey Drive details (https://www.kcra.com/article/2025-kcra-turkey-drive-cal-expo/69062189)
Sacramento Food Bank Turkey Drive page (https://www.sacramentofoodbank.org/turkeydrive)
Run to Feed the Hungry info (https://www.runtofeedthehungry.com/)
Register to run (https://raceroster.com/events/2025/108615/run-to-feed-the-hungry)
Kids Can dates (https://www.kcra.com/article/kids-can-food-drive-2025-northern-california/65962340)
Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services Turkey Drive Cal Expo
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025.
Learn more on the Event page (https://www.sacramentofoodbank.org/turkeydrive) and Cal Expo info (https://calexpo.com/event/kcra-turkey-drive/). If you cannot attend, you can still donate (https://www.kcra.com/article/2025-kcra-turkey-drive-cal-expo/69062189).
KCRA Kids Can Food Drive regionwide
Dates: now through Thursday, November 14, 2025.
See details here: KCRA Kids Can (https://www.kcra.com/article/kids-can-food-drive-2025-northern-california/65962340).
Run to Feed the Hungry East Sacramento
Date: Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Check the Official site (https://www.runtofeedthehungry.com/) and Register here (https://raceroster.com/events/2025/108615/run-to-feed-the-hungry).
4) Placer County hunger relief volunteer and donate close to home
Feeding the Foothills formerly Placer Food Bank
Headquartered in Roseville and serving Placer, El Dorado, and Nevada counties. Learn more at Feeding the Foothills (https://feedingthefoothills.org/) and the Feeding America listing (https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank/feeding-foothills).
Volunteer spotlight:
• Roseville Mobile Distribution first Friday mornings.
• Colfax Mobile Distribution second Tuesday mornings.
• Rocklin PantryToGo last Friday mornings near Johnson Springview Park.
These drive through shifts are family friendly. You can help with traffic flow, load groceries, or welcome guests.
Auburn Interfaith Food Closet holiday drives
Find hours and programs at Auburn Interfaith Food Closet (https://auburnfoodcloset.org/) and Hours and openings (https://auburnfoodcloset.org/hours-of-operation/).
5) More ways to give in Lincoln, Loomis, Rocklin, Roseville, and nearby
• Twin Lakes Food Bank in Folsom Turkey and Trimmings 2025 (https://twinlakesfoodbank.org/community-events/).
• Placer Veterans Stand Down seasonal drive News brief (https://goldcountrymedia.com/news/338192/veterans-can-stock-up-on-winter-clothes-food-at-newcastle-event/) and Organization site (https://www.placerveteransstanddown.org/).
• Coat drives check Sacramento365 (https://sacramento365.com/) and look for local drop barrels in Rocklin and Granite Bay.
• Nugget Markets matching fund drive $35,000 Matching Fund Drive Nov 1, 2025 (https://www.nuggetmarket.com/articles/3165/35000-matching-fund-drive-for-local-food-relief/).
6) Light the World Giving Machines Greater Sacramento Roseville
Dates: November 17 to December 8, 2025.
Location: Westfield Galleria at Roseville, 1151 Galleria Blvd, Roseville, CA 95678.
What it is: These bright red vending machines let you buy a donation item, such as meals, hygiene kits, school supplies, or even livestock. One hundred percent of your gift goes to the charities. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints covers program costs.
Participating charities Roseville, 2025:
• Jake’s Journey Home (https://vetsjourney.com/)
• Stand Up Placer (https://standupplacer.org/)
• The Salvation Army Sacramento (https://sacramento.salvationarmy.org/)
• Sunrise Christian Food Ministry (https://sunrisechristianfoodministry.org/)
• Sacramento Children’s Home (https://www.kidshome.org/)
• UNHCR The UN Refugee Agency (https://www.unhcr.org/)
• Mentors International (https://mentorsinternational.org/)
Learn more at Greater Sacramento Giving Machines (https://www.givingmachinesgreatersacramento.org/) and Light the World Giving Machines (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/light-the-world/giving-machines).
Image idea: a photo of the Giving Machines at Westfield Galleria in Roseville.
7) Find even more ways to serve on JustServe.org
What it is: a free site and app that lists volunteer projects from local nonprofits, schools, civic groups, and faith groups. You can filter by ZIP code, date, skills, in person or virtual, family friendly, one time, or ongoing.
Start here: JustServe.org (https://www.justserve.org/) and About JustServe (https://www.justserve.org/about).
Local examples:
Feeding the Foothills Placer Food Bank (https://www.justserve.org/projects/993b90d4-5923-4b02-91b9-e4d8e88f61ec)
Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services (https://www.justserve.org/sacramentofoodbank)
The Gathering Inn (https://www.justserve.org/thegatheringinn)
Seniors First (https://www.justserve.org/seniorsfirstplacerco)
Pro tip for Lincoln and Loomis: enter your ZIP and choose a 15 to 25 mile radius. You will see options in Catta Verdera, Lincoln, Rocklin, Roseville, Loomis, Granite Bay, and Auburn. Save projects to get reminders.
Thank you, Lincoln and Placer County
Serving our neighbors is what makes communities like Catta Verdera, Lincoln, Loomis, Rocklin, and Roseville so special. If you need porch pickup in Verdera, want a flyer for your office, or would like to volunteer together, reach out and I will make it easy.
I will keep this guide updated as more Sacramento County and Placer County opportunities appear.
