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Sustainability
Sustainability Programs
social connection
Social connection

Nourishment is more than the food on our plates- equally sustaining are the friendships and connections we grow.

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What We Do

Grey Bears improves the health and well-being of seniors and our community through food and meal delivery, volunteerism, resource conservation and reuse.

A weekly grocery bag filled with fresh produce and healthy staples

Grey Bears distributes these Healthy Food Bags at various locations throughout Santa Cruz County, conveniently near your home or workplace, 48 weeks a year. Home deliveries are only available for seniors who are disabled and aged 50 or older.

Grey Bears Healthy Food Program: a weekly bag of fresh produce and staples
Three men work together to repair a wheelchair at a Grey Bears Repair Cafe

Sustainability
Programs

Recycling

Every bottle, can, and newspaper counts. Grey Bears’ Recycling Center diverts millions of pounds from the landfill each year, turning waste into resources that sustain our programs and our planet.

Repair

Don’t toss it — fix it! Our Repair Café events empower the community to extend the life of beloved items, reduce waste, and learn valuable skills alongside talented volunteer fixers.

Compost

Transforming food scraps into nourishment for the earth. Our compost program closes the loop by reusing organic waste to create healthy soil — helping gardens and communities thrive while diverting food waste from the landfill.

Thrift Store

Shop with purpose. The Award- Winning Grey Bears Thrift Store offers gently used treasures at affordable prices, while supporting our mission to nourish seniors and protect the environment. Every purchase gives back.

Support Grey Bears

Social Connection

Community is at the heart of healthy aging. Grey Bears creates spaces for seniors to connect, learn, and celebrate — from shared meals and educational workshops to vibrant volunteer opportunities. Everyone belongs here.

2 senior women in conversation at a Grey Bears event
Calling all Bears!! 🐻🎉The 52nd Annual Harvest Festival is TOMORROW! Please join us in community September 20, 2025, from 11 am- 3:30 pm at our Chanticleer location. 
 
This free event will have live music by Trianna Feruza and the Heavy Hitters, a free BBQ Meal sponsored by Bogard Construction and produce market sponsored by New Leaf Community Markets! 🥕🥕 
 
We will also be having a free bike valet provided by Bike Santa Cruz County. Save your gas and the environment and cruise on over to a day of fun with Grey Bears!🚲 #SantaCruzEvents

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We did it!! Thank you for all your support, stay tuned for updates on our truck joining our fleet. 💛

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Rally up your crew and come on down to Chanticleer to score the best deals in town!🎉Whether it be a bowl, bike, or beanie, Grey Bears has it all! ❤️
 
Each purchase you make directly supports our mission of feeding local seniors in our community. 🐻💗

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TRUCK UPDATE: We’re over halfway there!🚚
Thanks to YOU, we’ve raised over $35,000 toward our new (to us) refrigerated truck, to our program helping us reduce food waste while feeding local seniors. We’ve come far, but still have a ways to go— please help keep Grey Bears on the road by using the link in our bio to donate!

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YOU’RE INVITED! 

Join us September 20th for the 52nd Annual Grey Bears Harvest Festival, held at our den at 2710 Chanticleer Ave. 

Enjoy delicious food made with love by Grey Bears, live music featuring @triannaferuza and the Heavy Hitters, and, as always, LOTS of produce. Head to the link in our bio to learn more! 

#nonprofit #thingstodo #santacruz #greybears #thrift #seniors #community

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At Grey Bears, we believe that with sustainable solutions, our whole community wins:
 
✅ Our community partners win when they can safely donate fresh food instead of throwing it away.
✅ Seniors win when their plates and pantries are full of healthy, nutritious food.
✅ The planet wins when we keep good food out of landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
 
Right now, our win-win-win system needs your help.
 
Our refrigerated truck is reaching the end of its life. Without it, we can’t pick up and deliver the fresh food that thousands of local seniors depend on every week.
We’re raising funds for a new refrigerated truck to keep the wheels—and our mission—rolling.
 
Donate today at greybears.org and help us keep the wins coming for seniors, our community, and the planet!

#santacruz #nonprofit #foodrecovery #greybears

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