There are many ways to make a difference at Sierra Roots. Whether you can give your time, prepare a meal, donate needed supplies, or make a financial contribution, your support helps us provide food, emergency shelter, basic necessities, and compassionate support to people in our community.
Ways You Can Help
Emergency Weather Shelter Needs
Needs vary depending on shelter openings and weather conditions.
- Dinner and breakfast meal donations
- Shelter set-up and clean-up volunteers
- Donations of needed shelter supplies
Thursday Community Lunch Needs
Every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. Location varies by season and weather.
Meals: Volunteers help provide food for our Thursday Community Lunch. Homemade main dishes, vegetable sides, salads, and desserts are especially appreciated. If you’d like to prepare food, we can let you know what is currently needed.
- Main dishes
- Vegetable sides
- Green salads
- Desserts
Other Lunch Needs
- Help setting up and cleaning up
- Help serving lunch
- Help with the Giving Table
Clothing & Basic Needs
What We Need
Donations should be clean, functional, and in good condition — something you would feel comfortable using or wearing yourself.
- Seasonal clothing and jackets
- Sturdy shoes
- Sleeping bags and blankets
- Backpacks
- Hygiene supplies
- Other basic necessities
Because our needs and storage capacity change, please contact Sierra Roots before bringing a large donation or organizing a donation drive.
Volunteer
Volunteers make Sierra Roots’ work possible. Whether you can help regularly or only occasionally, there are many ways to contribute your time and skills.
Thursday Community Lunch
Help prepare, set up, serve, or clean up at our Thursday Community Lunch. Volunteers can help regularly or occasionally, depending on their availability.
Emergency Weather Shelter
Volunteers help during Emergency Weather Shelter openings throughout the winter season. Opportunities may include:
- Preparing and setting up the shelter
- Welcoming and checking in guests
- Meal preparation and kitchen clean-up
- Helping with supplies and general shelter support
- Morning clean-up after a shelter opening
Board Members
Help guide the future of Sierra Roots. We welcome people who care about our mission and can bring their experience, ideas, and skills to our Board of Directors. Contact us if you are interested in learning more about board service.
Interested in volunteering? Email info@sierraroots.org to learn about current opportunities and how your skills can support our work.
What Our Volunteers Say
I volunteer because our homeless participants make my heart smile. They are good people who possibly made a mistake. Who has not made a mistake in their lifetime.
I volunteer with Sierra Roots because it is one small way I can help those that are currently unable to secure housing and food. As a Christian, I feel it is my responsibility and privilege to “feed the hungry.” It also gives me an opportunity to connect on a personal level with others who are struggling. My chicken dish will not solve homelessness in our county, but at least I know that our friends have a full stomach and the knowledge that someone cares about them.
I volunteer because I live in downtown Nevada City and the people we serve are the faces I see walking by my house and around town, and I care deeply about them.
I volunteer because I have lived in Nevada County for many decades and the community has always been a welcoming place for everyone. Part of that is the people who also love the community and give back by volunteering in different ways. Now that I am retired it's time for me to give back and make this a better place for all. I like Sierra Root's philosophy of no judgement on anyone that requires services. This is a very important facet of my volunteering.
I honor the people who abide by “I make myself rich, by making my wants few”
I volunteer because I have more than I need and am willing to share.
I volunteer because cooking and sharing food is my love language. Sharing food is a great way to connect.
I volunteer to support our community directly and be able to witness the immediate and long-lasting positive effects it has for our participants.
I volunteer because this organization’s focus is a community-based approach to addressing homelessness, prioritizing empowerment. Meeting people where they are, such an approach is about healing and connecting a community to seek real solutions together.
Other Ways to Give
SPD Community Card
Support Sierra Roots while you shop at SPD Markets. Sign up for an SPD Community Card and designate Sierra Roots as the nonprofit you want to support. A portion of your qualifying purchases will be donated to Sierra Roots at no additional cost to you. Ask at SPD Markets for information about signing up.
Make a Financial Gift
Financial donations give Sierra Roots the flexibility to respond where help is needed most. Your gift supports meals, emergency shelter, basic necessities, and compassionate support for people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in Nevada County.
Donate online through our secure donation page, or mail your contribution to:
Sierra Roots
PO Box 2086
Nevada City, CA 95959