THROWING STARFISH FOUNDATION

In 2019, Throwing Starfish Foundation raised $189,664 to benefit survivors of the 2018 Butte County Camp Fire. This total includes funds raised, grants received, and in-kind donations collected. We received $140,000 in grants from North Valley Community Foundation and Global Giving. Our all-volunteer organization worked tirelessly to distribute funds and goods directly to survivors of the Camp Fire. We assembled 150 Welcome Home Kits full of home essentials for Camp Fire survivors, we purchased a used car for a family, replaced tools for several contractors, paid thousands of dollars in rent, purchased home goods for multiple families, distributed food and gas gift cards, purchased laptops for students and professionals, provided relocation assistance to many families, helped with car repairs, provided a large amount of propane, contributed to the construction of Tiny Homes, helped purchase a food truck for business owners who lost theirs in the fire, paid professional fees to get survivors back to work, provided swamp coolers, AC units, fans, and ice chests for survivors living in RVs, maintained a free store in Chico and a free furniture store in Colusa for survivors and much, much more.

In 2019, Throwing Starfish raised $8,439 for local children. Those funds and in-kind donations were distributed to local foster kids and at-risk youth. We provided hundreds of Comfort Bags for foster kids who are in care. When kids are picked up to enter foster care, they are usually given two garbage bags in which to carry their limited belongings. Our Comfort Bags are large, sturdy duffel bags that are filled with brand new comfort items such as stuffed animals, coloring books, crayons, toiletries, blankets, books, water bottles, and beanies. We also distributed Apartment Kits to local foster kids who were aging out of the system into their first independent living situation. These kits provide new apartment essentials, such as pots and pans, dishes, cups, silverware, toaster oven, garbage can, laundry basket, and towels. We also provided bikes to local foster kids. We work closely with different agencies who serve foster and at-risk youth to ensure our donations are distributed to children in need.