Should you need affirmation that the spirit of giving is alive and well in Encinitas, look no further than how the community has pitched in to help the Community Resource Center (CRC) this season.

Every year, the CRC provides food, coats, and gently used clothes to thousands of people in need through its holiday gift basket program — something that has been especially challenging this year due to a shortage of food donations. Encinitas residents and dozens of community groups (some of which are listed below) have responded with an outpour of support in the form of volunteer hours and donations to help make the holiday basket program happen this year. 

Friday afternoon, volunteers were organizing and sorting those donations in preparation for the holiday basket distribution at the Del Mar Fairgrounds this weekend, which is expected to help a record 7,000 people. Slowly, the fairgrounds’ grandstand is transformed into a series of small shops for participants to browse in a retail-like setting. If you’ve never seen what goes on behind the scenes to make this event happen every year, this photo gallery will give you a glimpse of how much work goes in, and what role Encinitas’ contributions play. 

If you would still like to help, it’s not too late. The CRC still very much needs donations of non-perishable food, blankets, outerwear, toys, bicycles, and baby items. You can bring any donations to the grandstand at the Del Mar Fairgrounds this Saturday or Sunday. For more information, call 760.237.8118.

Some of the Encinitas groups and businesses that have pitched in so far include: The Leucadia Farmers Market, Rancho Coastal Humane Society, HapiFish, the Sheriff’s Encinitas Station, Encinitas Rotary, Encinitas Coastal Rotary, Diegueno Middle School, Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary, Paul Ecke Central Elementary, City of Encinitas, Encinitas Unified School District, El Camino Creek, Park Dale Lane Elementary, Mission Estancia, San Dieguito Academy, Ecke YMCA, Coldwell Banker, National Charity League - Surf Cities Chapter, Blue Thong Society, San Dieguito United Methodist, Seaside Fellowship Blanket Brigade, Frog's of Encinitas, Bright Horizons, Bethlehem Lutheran, Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, and many Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.