Five South Bay nonprofits are gearing up for holiday giving programs that put food, toys and household essentials into the hands of local families.

Here is what each organization needs and how residents can help.

Sandpipers: Holiday Baskets and Homes Tour

Sandpipers, a volunteer-run group based in Hermosa Beach, has delivered holiday baskets to South Bay families every December since 1931. The organization partners with local agencies to identify families facing financial hardship, then fills baskets with household necessities, personal care items, clothing, toys and gift cards.

In recent years the program has served 100 or more families and distributed more than $11,000 in gifts to over 260 children, according to the group's website. Community partners including the Manhattan Beach Rotary Club, Manhattan Beach Amigos, Mira Costa High Interact Club and Sandpiper Juniors help on distribution day.

Residents can support the program through sponsorships starting at $25 for a toy on a child's wish list. A $100 Food Sponsor covers one family. A $1,000 Family Sponsor provides essential items for an entire household.

Sandpipers also hosts its 34th Annual Holiday Homes Tour from Friday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 6. The tour showcases decorated South Bay homes and includes a Holiday Marketplace with local vendors. Tickets and event information are available on the Holiday Homes Tour page. Questions can be emailed to [email protected].

Harbor Interfaith Services: food baskets, toys and family adoption

Harbor Interfaith Services is collecting food to provide complete Thanksgiving meals to more than 350 South Bay families, according to the organization’s Instagram post.

Requested donations include canned green beans, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and frozen turkeys. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., at 670 W. 9th St. in San Pedro.

Richstone Family Center: Operation Santa and year-round volunteering

Richstone Family Center in Hawthorne supports families affected by child abuse and trauma through therapy, prevention programs and community events. Last holiday season, its Operation Santa program matched 85 nominated families and supported 372 people with personalized gifts, clothing, household essentials and gift cards, according to the center's holiday recap.

Partners included Pacific Elementary, Mira Costa High School, Fox Corporation, Sandpipers and several other local groups. The Mira Costa High School Baseball Boosters donated 175 Christmas trees to Richstone families.

Richstone accepts individual and group volunteers. Current openings include food distribution on Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and its Kids Club tutoring and mentoring program on weekday afternoons. Sign up through the volunteer page.

Mychal's Learning Place: Santa Stroll 5K

Mychal's Learning Place in Hawthorne provides programs for youth ages 8 to 22 and young adults ages 18 to 30 with developmental disabilities, helping them build social skills and job training through enterprises like Mychal's Café & Bakery.

Mychal’s eighth annual Santa Stroll takes place Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Hermosa Beach Pier. Check-in begins at 8 a.m., followed by a 9 a.m. start. The fundraising 5K follows the Strand to Manhattan Beach and back, according to the group's events page. Registration is open at santastroll26.funraise.org.

Residents who prefer a direct gift can donate online. A $25 donation covers two hours of job-site training for one student. A $500 donation funds a full week. The organization also offers a GEM (Giving Every Month) Club for recurring support.

Community's Child: weekly food pantry

Community's Child operates out of the Hope Community Center in Torrance and runs a weekly food distribution on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. The organization also maintains an infant pantry and a senior food program.

Donations can be made online, by phone at 310-534-4040, or by mailing a check to 18807 Crenshaw Pl., Torrance, CA 90504. Call 310-538-6831 for food pantry and program information.

How to keep helping after the holidays

Several of these organizations accept volunteers and donations year-round. Richstone's Kids Club runs on weekday afternoons. Harbor Interfaith's food pantry restocks continuously. Mychal's Learning Place accepts monthly donations through its GEM Club. Residents looking for a post-holiday opportunity can contact any of these groups directly.