Donations for Afghan refugees will be accepted this Saturday at a community center in Hayward, city officials said.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 4, donations such as clothing, toiletries and housewares will be accepted at the Matt Jimenez Community Center at 28200 Ruus Road in Hayward.
Welcome baskets are also being accepted as donations.
Community members and city staff are working alongside two refugee assistance groups to establish the community center as a hub for accepting, inventorying, and distributing items that refugees need as they settle in the Bay Area.
The two refugee assistance groups are the International Rescue Committee and the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants. The groups encourage financial contributions to support refugees, but donations of important items also help.
Toiletries that would help include but are not limited to diapers, baby wipes, toothbrushes, and baby formula. Donations of clothing could be in the form of traditional garments, shoes, shirts, and other items.
Housewares that might be helpful include pots and pans, blankets, bedding and prayer rugs.
The hub is being led by volunteers with support from city staff members. For more information about the hub, people can go to the project website.