Bobby deLancellotti, co-founder of the Estero Bay Kindness Coalition, and volunteer, Theo Moreno, with backpacks for the organization’s weekend nutrition program, Got Your Back, at Del Mar Elementary. Photo submitted
Classrooms in the San Luis Unified School District will fill up with students on August 20. New friends, new homework, and, for some, new worries. Late summer is the time of year when backpacks, clothing and other school essentials can reduce a family’s budget. A local non-profit is raising funds to help make things a little easier for those in need.
The Estero Bay Kindness Coalition and Ramos Art Gallery are joining forces hoping to give some relief from financial stress during the school year. There will be an Art Show and Fundraiser August 2 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Casa Ramos Art Gallery, 1034 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos. Billed as an open‑house celebration of community and creativity, the event features live art by Jonny Miller and Mike Golling, live music from Shane Stoneman and Ms. Leo & The Handsome Fellers, community art, pours from durham cider + wine co. and scoops from Harmony Valley Creamery.
“Art has always been a powerful way to bring people together, and that’s exactly what this event is about,” Kathryn deLancellotti, marketing manager for the Estero Bay Kindness Coalition, told Estero Bay News. “Rather than hosting a traditional fundraiser, we wanted to create an afternoon where the community could gather, enjoy local artists and musicians — all centered around the idea that creativity and kindness both strengthen a community. It’s more about using art as a way to inspire generosity and connection. Casa Ramos Art Gallery will donate 40% of art sales at the event to the Kindness Coalition! It’s a perfect time to purchase local art while giving back to the community.”
There will also be a raffle at the event with a grand prize of two nights at Treebones Resort in Big Sur and dinner for two at The Lodge Restaurant. Raffle tickets are 1/$10 3/$25 15/$100 and are available at Casa Ramos Art Gallery in Los Osos and Divers in Morro Bay, as well as at the event. If you can’t pick up raffle tickets in person, send an email to kindnesscoalitionesterobay@gmail.com and they will arrange tickets for you. Winners need not be present.
“Every raffle ticket, every donation, and every person who comes through the door helps our vulnerable neighbors,” Kathryn said. “As we head into the school year shortly after the event, many parents will face impossible choices between groceries, school clothes, and everyday necessities. This fundraiser allows us to step in with food, clothing, and support when families need it most, and to remind them they’re not facing those challenges alone.”
The Kindness Coalition, started by Kathryn’s parents, Bobby and Denise deLancellotti, along with a group of volunteers, began in 2017. Bobby, a retired pastor, wanted a way to help kids at Del Mar Elementary, which had a lot of children on the free lunch program. They now help kids from Cambria, Cayucos, Los Osos, and Morro Bay.
Today, the Kindness Coalition consists of three programs, 130 volunteers, and two food pantries. It’s partnered with eight schools, 41 for-profits, 25 nonprofits, and 11 churches.
The programs under the Kindness Coalition umbrella consist of the Bags of Love, Sunshine and Seed, and Got Your Back.
Bags of Love is the weekly food assistance side of the non-profit serving families with children enrolled in area elementary and middle schools. They source supplies primarily through partnerships with the SLO Food Bank, local farms, and community donations. About 285 households, the equivalent of about 1200 people, receive two bags of shelf-stable and refrigerated groceries, plus one bag of fresh produce.
To make the logistics possible, every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, volunteers gather in Morro Bay and Los Osos, unloading trucks, unpacking boxes, loading shelves, assembling grocery bags, and delivering to those in need.
Sunshine and Seed is the by appointment only, cost-free youth clothing store with locations in Morro Bay and Los Osos. The program offers free, gently used clothing to elementary school children. Like the other program’s the schools’ administrations identify potentially families.
“Since opening, Sunshine & Seed has provided clothing to more than 100 children on the Central Coast,” Kathryn said. “Demand continues to grow, and many local families schedule private shopping appointments so they can shop in a welcoming, dignified environment at no cost.”
Got Your Back is a weekend nutrition program serving about 100 students across four schools. Each backpack contains two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, snacks, and juice.
“While each program serves a different need, they all share the same goal: helping our neighbors feel supported, cared for, and treated with dignity,” Kathryn said.” The rising cost of groceries, housing, utilities, and other everyday expenses has placed increasing pressure on many working families who may never have expected to need assistance. We’re serving more households than ever before, and we continue to hear from schools and community partners about families who need support. That’s one reason this fundraiser comes at such an important time. As children will be preparing to return to school, we’re working to make sure they have healthy food, appropriate clothing, and the basics they need to start the year with confidence.”
To make monetary or clothing donations or to volunteer, go to esterbaykindnesscoalition.org
