Members of the home and housewares community are uniting to help residents affected by the recent wildfires in Southern California.
Since January 7, 2025, 57,529 acres have burned, 28 fatalities have been recorded and 16,255 structures have been destroyed, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Thousands have lost their homes, creating a unique opportunity for the home and housewares industry to take action.
“In the wake of the awful devastation of these fires, it’s been heartening to learn of so many organizations eager to help the thousands of people in need,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the International Housewares Association (IHA). “The Housewares Charity Foundation (HCF) has already made a donation to World Central Kitchen to help them feed first responders and evacuees, and IHA and HCF are pleased to partner with Good360 to leverage the generosity of the housewares industry and support long-term disaster relief efforts.”
Good360 is a not-for-profit organization that partners with socially responsible companies to source highly needed donated goods and distribute them through its diverse network of more than 100,000 vetted nonprofits. IHA previously partnered with Good360 in response and recovery efforts following Hurricanes Helena and Milton in the Southeast U.S. last year.
Good360 has already raised more than $400,000 to support relief efforts in Southern California, and it has distributed more than $2 million worth of immediately requested products, such as diapers, hygiene products and personal protective equipment (PPE).
“Our donor network is the lynchpin of our ability to give communities hope and a prosperous future,” said Peyton Kliewer, director of disaster recovery for Good360. “What Good360 does is only possible thanks to Good360’s unique position between nonprofits/agencies active on the ground and corporate partners/foundations who want to help.”
According to Good360, cash donations are the most useful for Southern California relief right now as they allow the organization to secure warehouses, resources and data needed for a multi-year recovery effort. Donations can be made at https://good360.org/corporate-funds/.
Housewares companies can also donate products at any time during the year. There are no charges or fees to donate; donor shipping is appreciated but not required. Those with questions about donating product can contact Peyton Kliewer at [email protected].
As fires were first breaking out, HCF took action to assist first responders and those evacuated from their homes. HCF made a donation of $50,000 to World Central Kitchen (WCK), a not-for-profit organization that provides hot meals to people in crisis due to humanitarian, climate or community events.
At the height of the fires, WCK had more than 50 meal distribution sites across Southern California and has served over 415,000 meals to date. Those meals were provided in partnership with WCK’s Chef Corps members, restaurant and food trucks, and local volunteers.
WCK is one of the charitable organizations previously selected as a beneficiary at the upcoming Housewares Cares Gala. This dinner, to be held March 2 during The Inspired Home Show 2025, will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (HCF’s legacy charity, as well as the James Beard Foundation, Feeding America and WCK. Information on attending the charity dinner or making a donation can be found on the HCF website at https://www.housewarescharity.org.
