Santa Monica College Foundation is seeking donations toward a goal of 1,500 winter coats for students. New and gently used coats, jackets and hoodies can be dropped off Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Compass Realty, 2115 Main St., Santa Monica.
The coat drive is part of the foundation's 10th annual Giving Thanks(giving) effort, which will provide hot holiday meals to more than 2,500 SMC students in need. The meal event is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 23, and Tuesday, Nov. 24, according to the SMC Foundation.
The need is growing.
Since September 2025, visits to SMC's on-campus student food pantry, the Bodega, have increased 20%, the foundation said.
Beyond meals, the annual event raises money for SMC's Basic Needs Program and Emergency Grant Fund. Those programs provide year-round access to free groceries, clothing, hygiene and parenting supplies, along with urgent financial aid for housing, medical bills and other unexpected crises, according to the foundation.
The foundation is also recruiting volunteers for the Thanksgiving event.
The coat drive and Thanksgiving meals cap a busy stretch of community events in Santa Monica. Here's what else is coming up:
Saturday, Nov. 14: Santa Monica Block Fest on the Third Street Promenade, starting at 5 p.m. Guests 21 and older can drink outdoors in the Entertainment Zone, according to the organizer's page.
Sunday, Nov. 15: Main Street Farmers Market, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Council Member Natalya Zernitskaya will be on hand with crafts for kids.
Sunday, Nov. 15: Westside Repair Cafe, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Santa Monica Elks Lodge, 1040 Pico Blvd. The free event focuses on reducing waste.
Through June 2027: "Route 66: Road, Legend, Community" exhibit at 1350 7th St. The show features historic photographs, artifacts, roadside signage and a first edition of The Grapes of Wrath.
