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Our Mission

In order to support unemployed and homeless individuals in their search for employment, we collect items used to prepare for job interviews and distribute these necessities at no cost to job counselors at agencies serving the San Francisco homeless community.

Our History

Working Essentials volunteers. Photo: AFSC

The idea for our agency was the outgrowth of a 1995 five-year community plan called the Continuum of Care Plan which addressed possible services and solutions to homelessness in San Francisco. During the development of this plan, job counselors from homeless agencies repeatedly stated that a primary barrier to employment for their clients was the lack of accessibility to personal hygiene items. Working Essentials was established in 1996 to address this community need.

Working Essentials is the only organization that actually solicits, picks up and coordinates distribution of "essential items" on behalf of the agencies served, absolutely free of charge, saving these agencies both time and money. Since 1996, Working Essentials has distributed nearly $1,500,000 worth of material support to agencies serving homeless men, women and families in San Francisco, reaching tens of thousands of needy individuals.

Read about partner homeless agencies that Working Essentials works with locally

Three Ways You Can Make a Difference

1. Donate Money

The kind donations of the foundations, businesses and individuals who have supported Working Essentials have helped us expand our reach to our community. With more monetary support, we can do even more.

Financial contributions are appreciated. Contributions can be made by check, payable to:

AFSC / Working Essentials

Please mail checks to:

AFSC / Working Essentials
Attn: Mary Ellen Solon
65 Ninth Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

2. Donate Items

We always need:

See below for donation collections sites.

3. Donate Time

One of the greatest gifts you can give is your time. Working Essentials is always looking for volunteers to help.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• DONATIONS DRIVER
  Volunteer Job Description: The donations driver position consists of picking up donations from businesses and individuals, bringing them back to the office, and unloading them; there, we sort them for the fabulous agencies we serve so that their clients can be better prepared for job interviews. 
  
  Skills: Friendly, responsible, polite and reliable. Must be familiar with San Francisco or willing to learn. Ability to lift and carry heavy items possibly up to 50 lbs. Must have your own vehicle. Will go out to do pick-ups rain or shine!

• GRANT RESEARCHER
  Volunteer Job Description: The grant researcher position consists of accessing sources on the Internet to locate foundation and corporation funding resources for Working Essentials. Through our office, you can have access to the Foundation Center’s resources as well as internet resources. This is a terrific way to develop or hone your grant-writing skills and build your resume! You can do this on your own hours; flexible time commitment.
  
  Skills: Efficient in Internet usage, and enjoys research. If you want to work out of our office, need the ability to work in a sometimes-cluttered environment while keeping your sense of humor. Can be done at the location of your choice.

• WORKING ESSENTIALS PUBLICITY
  Volunteers are needed to help inform San Franciscans about Working Essentials. Volunteers will hang plastic bags with flyers on door knobs in neighborhoods surrounding our current city-wide collection sites. The flyers explain the mission of Working Essentials and encourage community members to donate their unneeded hotel products and extra toiletries. This is a great volunteer opportunity for those who like to be out and about. You can explore new areas of the city while soaking in the sunshine. Days and times are flexible. A great activity for groups or pairs of friends! One "flyering" takes about 2-3 hours and results in a flood of much-needed donations.
  
  Skills: Interest in being outdoors and a desire to help keep this community-based program up and running!

 

Donation Collection Sites

Please drop off your unused items at one of the following locations.  If you’re interested in hosting a collection basket, contact us at (415) 565-0201, ext. 27.

Noe Valley	Cover to Cover Booksellers                  1307 Castro St,  (cross street 24th St)
Mission	The Women’s Building 3543 18th Street (cross street Guerrero)
Downtown	American Friends Service Committee 65 9th Street (cross street Market)
Outer Sunset	Sunset Pet Supply 2226 Taraval St (between 32nd & 33rd)
	Blue Moon Café 2255 Judah St (between 27th Ave & 28th Ave)
Inner Sunset	Bija Yoga Studio 1338 9th Avenue (between Irving & Judah)
Richmond District	Richmond Police Station  461 6th Avenue (between Geary and Anza)
Ingleside	Ingleside Police Station 1 John V. Young Ln. (at San Jose Ave.)
West Portal	The Music Store 66 West Portal Ave.
Western Addition	Chicago Barbershop #3 1551 Fillmore Street (cross street Geary)
Haight Ashbury	Funky Door Yoga Haight 1749 Waller St. (between Shrader & Stanyan)
Pacific Heights	The Mindful Body  2876 California Street
Financial District	Satori Yoga Studio 40 1st Street 2nd floor AAA 160 Sutter St (Cross St. Kearny)

 

On this page

Our Mission

Our History

Three Ways You Can Make a Difference

Donation Collection Sites