In January 2025, wildfires swept through Pacific Palisades and nearby communities, and thousands of families lost their homes, clothes and everyday supplies. Santa Monica College (SMC) turned its campus into a donation hub, and the Wann Heritage Foundation, which operates the Accessible Sustainability Alliance, called on volunteers to help the SMC Foundation sort and hand out those goods. This post looks back at that effort and explains how you can still support recovery today.
Quick answer: In January 2025, the SMC Foundation held a free disaster support distribution at Santa Monica College for students, staff and community members affected by the Los Angeles fires. The Wann Heritage Foundation helped recruit volunteers to sort, pack and give out donated clothing, food and supplies, and donations to the SMC Disaster Support Fund still help affected students and staff.
What happened in January 2025
The Palisades Fire started on January 7, 2025, in Los Angeles County. By the time it was fully contained on January 31, it had burned 23,448 acres and destroyed 6,845 structures, with 975 more damaged, according to CAL FIRE (CAL FIRE). Families in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Santa Monica, Brentwood and across the region were displaced, many with little more than the clothes they wore.
Neighbors responded fast. People from Santa Monica, Malibu and the Palisades donated gently used items, new merchandise and essential supplies to Santa Monica College, so much that the college needed many extra hands to organize it all.
The SMC disaster support distribution
According to Santa Monica College, the SMC Foundation held a four-day Fire Disaster Support Distribution on January 22–24 and January 26, 2025, in the Corsair Gym on the Main Campus at 1900 Pico Boulevard (Santa Monica College). It was open to SMC students and employees and to community members affected by the fires, including children, staff and families in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
Free items included food, new and gently used clothing for adults, children and babies, hygiene products, baby supplies and blankets. Volunteers sorted, packaged and handed out the donations.
How the Wann Heritage Foundation helped
The Wann Heritage Foundation, in support of the Santa Monica College Foundation, put out a call for volunteers to staff shifts on Friday, January 24, and Sunday, January 26, 2025. Shifts were open to individuals and to large groups, such as company employee teams, through the SMC Foundation’s volunteer sign-up page.
Volunteer jobs were simple but important: unpacking boxes, sorting clothing by size, packing bags of supplies and helping families find what they needed. Work like this keeps donated goods in use instead of sitting in storage or ending up as waste, and it gets help to people quickly.
How you can still help
Fire recovery takes years, not weeks. If you want to support students and staff who were affected, the SMC Foundation runs the SMC Disaster Support Fund. The college says the fund helps with temporary housing, food, water, clothing, transportation, medical supplies, school materials and emergency funding (SMC Foundation).
- Give online by credit card or bank transfer on the SMC Foundation’s disaster support page.
- Mail a check payable to Santa Monica College Foundation, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405, with “SMC Disaster Support Fund” in the memo.
- Ask about other gifts, such as stock, donor-advised funds or scholarships, by contacting the SMC Foundation directly.
- Volunteer locally. Check the SMC Foundation and local relief groups for current volunteer needs.
Why community action matters
Disasters show how much neighbors can do together. Sharing clothes, food and household goods also keeps useful items in circulation, which is one of the simplest ways to cut waste. When families rebuild, choosing durable, efficient and fire-resistant options can make homes safer and greener for the long run.
Frequently asked questions
When was the SMC disaster support distribution?
The SMC Foundation held its Fire Disaster Support Distribution on January 22–24 and January 26, 2025, in the Corsair Gym at Santa Monica College’s Main Campus. The Wann Heritage Foundation helped recruit volunteers for the January 24 and 26 shifts.
Who could get help at the event?
SMC students and employees, plus community members affected by the fires, including Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District families and staff. Items were free.
Can I still donate to SMC fire relief?
Yes. The SMC Foundation’s Disaster Support Fund accepts gifts online and by check to help SMC students, faculty and staff affected by the Los Angeles County fires. Check the foundation’s page for current details.
Explore everyday sustainability
Small actions add up, whether you are helping neighbors or cutting waste at home. Visit our free Sustainability Lab to explore simulators for carbon, energy, water, waste, food and transportation and see which changes make the biggest difference for your household.
Related guides
- Individuals Matter! Small Collective Actions Drive Meaningful Outcomes
- Start your certification in sustainability. Free course work and accreditation from Santa Monica College
- Accessible Sustainability: Making Eco-Friendly Choices Attainable for All
Sources
- CAL FIRE, Palisades Fire incident page
- Santa Monica College, SMC Foundation to Hold a Four-Day Fire Disaster Support Distribution Event
- SMC Foundation, SMC Disaster Support
Written and reviewed by the Accessible Sustainability Alliance editorial team. Last updated October 5, 2026.
