For 15 years the Santa Clarita Shelter – operated by Bridge to Home Homeless Services – has been a safe haven for our local homeless during the winter months, providing warm beds and motel vouchers for families with children, nutritious meals and job resources.

In addition they provide free medical and dental services to their clients once a month year-round during “Give Back Saturdays.” The last two events of the year will take place this weekend, October 13 and next month (Nov. 11) between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Give Back Saturdays are also an opportunity for the community to collect much needed items and bring them to the shelter, which is located on Drayton Street in Santa Clarita.

The shelter is asking for the following necessities:

* Blankets and towels (new and used)

* Styrofoam plates, cups and bowls

* Plastic knives, forks and spoons

* 409 multipurpose cleaner

* 35+ gallon trash bags

* Toilet paper

* Regular coffee

* Hot cocoa

* Travel size deodorant

According to Executive Director Tim Davis, this kind of support from the community is always overwhelming.

“We give away 500 or more blankets every winter to our clients,” he said. “And because of the community support we’ve never bought a blanket, the same thing with hand towels and bath towels. It’s been years and years and years since we’ve ever bought any deodorant or shaving cream or toothpaste or toothbrushes. The community is just exceptional in how they support us with those kinds of things.”

The shelter is currently only a winter emergency facility, but they plan to transition to a year-round support and housing program by the fall of 2013. To help them reach this goal, they are looking for 3,000 “friends” who would be willing to donate $10 per month to pay for running costs and upkeep. Currently, 100 people have signed up for the program, so there are still plenty of opportunities to contribute.

Bridge to Home also invites the community to join them for their fall fundraiser, Humor Helps at Blessed Kateri Church in Saugus on Nov. 11. A-list comedian Alonzo Bodden will entertain. The event begins at 7 p.m. with a silent auction beforehand at 6:30. Tickets are $20 each.

For more information on these events and other ways you can help Bridge to Home reach the homeless of the Santa Clarita Valley, click here.