Guide to Giving Back This Holiday Season
Guide to Giving Back This Holiday Season
Written by: Claudia Chow, Digital Marketing Manager, UWSD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Written by: Claudia Chow, Digital Marketing Manager, UWSD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Written by: Alli Temnick, Senior Development Executive, UWSD
As we celebrate our Centennial year, we continue to highlight the role United Way of San Diego County has played in our region throughout our history. This month, we want to focus on the 1980s, a decade when San Diego grew in size, economy, and national prominence.
Prior to the 1980s, the President of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce had referred to the city as “a stool with one leg—the military.” That changed rapidly throughout the decade as the economy grew and diversified. New industries resulted in 300,000 new jobs, and these new jobs attracted new workers, leading to a significant increase in the population. The city officially reached 1.1 million residents in the 80s, making it the sixth largest city in the country at the time.
As a result of the increasing population and budget cuts from the federal government, homelessness became more visible in San Diego at the time. United Way of San Diego County responded by launching the Regional Task Force for the Homeless, in partnership with both the city and the county. The Regional Task Force for the Homeless has grown and is still in operation today. In fact, they are tenants of United Way of San Diego County’s building in Kearny Mesa, which was purchased in the 1980s as well.
Generous donors and the help of a financial consortium made the purchase of the Kearny Mesa building possible. The building is still the primary workplace for UWSD employees, and it is a great example of the way UWSD supports our community by partnering with other nonprofit organizations. Additional office space is rented out to other nonprofit organizations at below-market rates. As of this year, our current tenants include the Autism Society San Diego, Susan G. Komen San Diego, Regional Task Force for the Homeless, San Diego Psychological Association, Dreams for Change, Lupus Foundation of San Diego, HandsOn San Diego, and Wave Academy.
As you can see, United Way of San Diego County has adapted to the changing needs of our community over the years and we will continue to do so. This year has brought a number of changes, and we will continue to draw from the example of our history and find ways to adapt so that we can serve and strengthen our community’s most pressing needs.
Save the date for Thursday, October 8th, 2020 and join us for our Virtual Centennial Celebration! Learn more about UWSD’s Centennial and visit uwsd.org/centennial.
Written by: Claudia Chow, Digital Marketing Manager, UWSD
United Way of San Diego County (UWSD) continues to observe our Centennial Celebration by highlighting each decade with this month’s salute to the 1970s, a time full of innovation and incubation.
In 1973, we adopted the name United Way of San Diego County in keeping with national trends. During the 70s, UWSD flourished thanks to growing relationships with local companies and their workplace campaigns. We joined forces with 11 local affiliates to create the Combined Health Agencies Drive (CHAD). Then in 1975, UWSD helped create The San Diego Foundation. The following year, we helped launch the San Diego Community Leadership Development Program, a predecessor of LEAD San Diego. United Way also created a volunteer bureau to help people get involved in community service. Last but not least, during this era, Guideline was created, a countywide information and referral service that later became 2-1-1.
This year, in conjunction with the Centennial anniversary, UWSD expanded our Day of Action work to a month-long campaign to bring awareness of food insecurity as well as support vulnerable senior citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each June, United Ways across the globe participate in Day of Action, a day to address and tackle a variety of challenges that communities face. It is a day that United Ways ask their community members to help put the mission into action by volunteering to improve the building blocks for a good quality of life – education and family stability.
In addition to bringing attention to National Hunger Awareness Month, UWSD team members and partners from the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council honored the staff of Unions United with a surprise no-contact parade that doubled as a food drive. To help support the mission of the food pantry, we hosted a month-long virtual food drive to help restock the pantry! The staff members in the emergency on-site food pantry have provided over two decades of commitment and support to those vulnerable in our community. They have been working hard everyday face to face with clients throughout this pandemic.
Not only did we celebrate the Unions United team, but that weekend UWSD staff and volunteers joined the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council for a food distribution at SDCCU Stadium, providing over 640 individuals and families with produce and canned goods during these unprecedented times.
Now, more than ever, seniors need to remain safely in their homes. Many seniors are at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and cannot venture out to find basic hygiene and personal care items. This year with the expanded Day of Action, UWSD collaborated with ElderHelp, a local nonprofit whose mission is to help seniors remain independent and live with dignity in their own homes, to assemble personal care kits. Volunteers were given supplies to take home, assemble, and instructed to return the completed kits to ElderHelp’s building. All coordination efforts, including picking up and dropping off the kits, were a no-contact transaction. Our eight volunteers put in 25 hours of service to supply ElderHelp with 300 kits for their seniors!
During these challenging times, United Way, with the help of individuals like you, can continue our impactful work as we have for the past 100 years for those in need in our community.
To learn about the Centennial Celebration, visit uwsd.org/centennial.
Taxpayers who previously could not deduct their charitable contributions, because they took the standard deduction, can now deduct up to $300 of qualified charitable contributions on their 2020 tax return.
Now is a good time to give, if you can, not only because of these new tax benefits, but also because of the overwhelming community need. This health and financial crisis is impacting many in San Diego, who are struggling to cover basic needs.
Donate Now to United Way of San Diego County
For people who take the standard deduction, the CARES ACT allows you to take a tax deduction for contributions made to qualified charitable entities up to $300 per year starting in 2020 – this deduction is “above-the-line.” The 2020 Standard deduction is $12,400 for individuals and $24,800 for married couples filing jointly. Therefore, any donation to qualifying charities of up to $300 will be added to the standard rate of deduction. This deduction applies for 2020 and beyond.
For people who file for itemized deductions, the CARES ACT allows you to take a tax deduction of up to 100% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for contributions to qualifying charities starting in 2020. The new law temporarily lifts the limits on charitable giving from 60% of a taxpayer’s AGI to 100% for 2020.
For corporate donors, the CARES ACT allows an entity to take a tax deduction of up to 25% of their Adjusted Tax Income for contributions to qualifying charities starting in 2020. The new law temporarily lifts the limits from 10% of adjusted taxable income to 25% for 2020.
There are so many ways to positively impact the community right now:
This information is not intended to be tax or legal advice. Please consult a tax advisor or lawyer for advice. These numbers are for demonstrative purposes and are subject to change. Rules in individual states may also apply.
Many San Diego County residents have lost their jobs, are hurting financially and worried about where their next meal will come from. Fortunately, there are many different ways to get food in San Diego, whether it’s from a local business, food bank, or other nonprofit program. The San Diego County response has been overwhelmingly impressive in this time of incredible need by making food more available. We applaud the businesses who are stepping up to serve the community, whether offering food for people who have lost jobs, or the workers on our front lines. If you can, support local businesses, especially the ones donating meals, as this will help them continue to serve the community.
Here’s a rundown of the many places offering food for those in need:
If you are food insecure and do not qualify for free meals at the restaurants listed below, please check out UWSD’s Unions United program, which helps local families get food and other basic necessities in times of need.
The San Diego Hunger Coalition has compiled extensive resources about where you can get food from food pantries and other relief options. Learn more here.
If you need help getting access to food near you, you can also call 2-1-1 or go to the 2-1-1 website for a list of resources.
Any child 18 or younger can go to any school site providing meals and receive food during this period of school closures due to COVID-19. The San Diego County Office of Education has a comprehensive list of places offering free meals. They also have a mobile app to help people find the nearest locations.
Feeding San Diego is open to serve people right now. Click here for a list of locations.
The San Diego Food Bank has food distributions scheduled from Monday, April 6 to Saturday, April 11.
For: Laid-off hospitality industry members
What: Pre-packaged comfort meals
When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Mission Valley at 1570 Camino De La Reina
Contributions: Breakfast Republic is suggesting a $10 contribution for these meals, but the food will be free for those who can’t afford to pay. Patrons can also “pass it forward” and buy an extra meal for another customer.
Source: San Diego Eater
For: All first responders who show proper credentials — from firemen and policemen to hospital medical staff, EMTs, and paramedics
What: A free carnitas, fish, or sautéed vegetable burrito
When: 12 p.m to 6 p.m.
Where: 1705 Highland Ave, National City, CA 91950 and 89 Bonita Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Contributions: Contact Karina’s Mexican Seafood
Source: San Diego Eater
For: San Diego’s unemployed hospitality industry workers
What: Free meals
When: 12 p.m to 8 p.m.
Where: 748 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Contributions: GoFundMe page
Source: San Diego Eater
For: Anyone on the front lines trying to combat the coronavirus pandemic
What: Free meals
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
Where: 550 W Date St. Suite A, San Diego, CA 92101 and 565 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Contributions: Contact San Diego Dining Group
Source: KUSI
For: San Diegans who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus crisis
What: One free menu item per person
When: Regular business hours
Where: 3805 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
Contributions: Customers can donate a meal when ordering for pickup or delivery
Source: San Diego Eater
Note: The eatery has implemented a “passphrase” for those shy about asking for a handout; today’s code for free food is “Sirius Black was never evil”, and daily codes will be posted every morning on the restaurant’s Instagram page at @eatcommonstock.
For: Employees of the Cohn Restaurant Group
What: Free family-style meals for takeout
When: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Where: 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 and
Contributions: Contact the Cohn Restaurant Group
Source: San Diego Union Tribune
For: Any customer who identifies as a first responder or frontline worker supporting our healthcare system
What: Free tall brewed coffee, either hot or iced.
When: Business hours
Where: Multiple locations
Contributions: Contact Starbucks
Source: USA Today
UWSD supports family stability year-round, not just during times of crisis, with rent/mortgage payments and food assistance. You can learn more about our Unions United program that supports families in need, as well as what we’re doing specifically to address the Coronavirus Crisis, with our Worker Assistance Initiative. The Initiative is designed to support low-wage workers who need assistance paying utilities and rent/mortgage bills due to layoffs or reduced hours.
Is there something we missed? Let us know in the comments below.