What is Sandpipers?

OUR MISSION “Sandpipers is a 100% volunteer organization dedicated to serving the needs of the South Bay community through charitable and philanthropic programs.” Since 1931, Sandpipers has been providing assistance to individuals and families in need. For the 2020 - 2021 year, Sandpipers distributed more than $475,000 into the South Bay community. Partnering with over 60 local agencies, our programs give a hand up to individuals and families who have suffered a crisis and are taking the necessary steps to rebuild their lives. Revenues from the Holiday Homes Tour support all our philanthropic programs. The agencies we partner with provide daily support for individuals and families in need by providing the following services: crisis intervention, enrichment services, health services, and support for the mentally and physically disabled and working poor families. A brief look into some of Sandpipers’ Philanthropic Programs: SANDPIPERS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Established in 1941, this is the oldest continuing aid program in the South Bay. It provides funding for qualifying students for 4 years of undergraduate studies. For the 2020 -2021 school year, Sandpipers provided more than $288,000 in scholarships to college bound students. EMERGENCY CASEWORK Provides immediate and confidential assistance to members of our community that are referred to us by our partner agencies. This assistance can range from Ralph’s scrip to help with monthly grocery expenses, medical care in the form of payment for dentures or other needed prescriptive items, payment of household rent or purchasing uniforms for school and/ or work. For the 2020 – 2021 year, we distributed a little over $11,600 in emergency assistance to community members in need. BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING Established in 1999, Back to School Shopping has grown to serve over 70 children. In August, Sandpipers shopped with 75 children, ages 5 – 12, for school clothes, shoes and supplies. Nearly $17,000 worth of clothing and school supplies were purchased for these children. HOLIDAY BASKETS This is our founding program, and it continues to grow year after year. This December we will provide more than 100 “baskets” to local families consisting of a carload full of new toys, new clothes, grocery scrip, shoe gift cards and a myriad of other household necessities like towels, sheets, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and kitchen goods. SUGARPLUM TREE Each year Sandpipers partners with the LA County Department of Children & Family Services to provide approximately 1,500 toys to children in foster care. Through the work of Sandpipers year after year, we perform well over 1,300 hours of community service and touch the lives of more than 26,000 individuals. We provide weekly assistance by delivering meals to domestic violence shelters, participating in Meals on Wheels deliveries, assisting with paperwork at dental clinics, providing snacks for after school programs, and purchasing and delivering undergarments, desserts, milk, and groceries to those in need.