Los Osos Cares is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission of creating a culture of care and community in Estero Bay. From our office at Sunnyside School, we operate five programs including a Resource Center where we help people access social services from government and nonprofit agencies; a senior program called R U OK? with hotlines available to seniors in Los Osos, Morro Bay, and Cayucos; a community dinner that serves 100 people every Wednesday; a Coalition of social service agencies; and Estero Bay Womenade. We open the Resource Center three days a week for people calling or coming in for assistance. So far this year we have helped 175 people through the Resource Center. In addition to helping with finding resources, Los Osos Cares makes small grants to help with immediate needs.

Many people living in vehicles or on a very small fixed income do not budget for the big annual bills, like vehicle registration or insurance. Others come for help with utility bills which have become overwhelming — so far this year $14,000.00 in small grants.

Los Osos Cares annual budget is about $100,000, and we depend on donations for at least 50%. About a quarter of that $100,000 will probably go straight out the door in small grants to people needing help. The rest supports the programs and volunteers by providing the necessary wages for our part-time Executive Director, infrastructure, and direct costs like phones, community dinner food, and supplies. Thanks to in-kind donations and volunteers, our operating costs are quite low. In the past three years, we received grants from SLO County and Dignity Health, but those generous grants have gone to other organizations this year, so increased support from the community will help us continue creating a culture of care in the coming year.