What We Do
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.
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
Your generosity fuels our mission. By donating, volunteering, or becoming a sponsor, you help deliver healthy food, build community, and promote sustainability for thousands of seniors. Join us in making a difference.
Grey Bears is thrilled to join the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust’s Community Seafood Program, bringing sustainably-caught, nutrient-rich seafood to our food distribution and hot meals.
Together, we’re connecting local fishermen with local seniors, making access to quality proteins more equitable.
Learn more about how we’re nourishing Santa Cruz County at www.greybears.org!
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Due to the upcoming 4th of July holiday, we will not be delivering Healthy Food Bags on July 3rd and 4th. Please look forward to receiving your bags next week, on July 10th and 11th!
In addition, here’s the next set of events happening at Grey Bears in July, including our 2nd Saturday Sale on July 12, a Healthy Minds Workshop on July 15 where participants will learn how to use a free app that teaches simple, science-based practices for mental well-being, and the Repair Café on July 19.
Grey Bears will be holding a 4th of July Shoe Sale in the thrift store this Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. All shoes will be $5, except the ones behind the register.
Our thrift store and recycling services will be open on the 4th of July; however, there will be no lunch, Healthy Food Bags, or food distribution that day.
We hope you have a safe and happy holiday!
We had an amazing Seniors Night Out recently, where members of our community came together for a fun workshop to create their own tie-dye apparel.
Tie-dye holds a special place in our hearts — it’s a great way to repurpose well-loved, faded, or stained items, and bring a little color into your wardrobe!
We’re excited to host our next Repair Cafe on Saturday, July 19th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grey Bears warehouse!
If you have repair skills in any area and would like to volunteer, we’d love to have you join us in helping extend the life of community members’ belongings. To get involved, please email us at nancy@greybears.org.
At Grey Bears, we believe in the power of community, compassion, and honoring the shared history that shapes who we are.
Today, on Juneteenth, we join communities across the nation in commemorating a pivotal moment in American history—the day when the last enslaved African Americans were finally informed of their freedom on June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth is not only a celebration of freedom but also a time to reflect on the resilience, strength, and impact of Black Americans throughout history. It reminds us that the journey toward equity and justice continues—and that each of us has a role in building a more inclusive and compassionate future for everyone.
As an organization rooted in care, dignity, and connection across generations, Grey Bears stands with all who strive for equality and healing. We are committed to fostering a community where every voice is valued and every story honored.
On this Juneteenth, let us take a moment to learn, reflect, and honor the enduring spirit of freedom.
Happy Father’s Day to the dads, grandfathers, and father figures who strengthen our community with wisdom, care, and resilience.
Today we celebrate you and the vital role you play in every generation. With gratitude from all of us at Grey Bears. Your presence reminds us of the importance of connection, guidance, dependability, and giving back — values we strive to uphold every day.
Grey Bears extends our sincere appreciation to Bookie’s Pizza and Sante Adairius for their meaningful partnership through a recent community giving initiative.
Their generosity, along with the continued support of our local community, contributes to our Healthy Food Program and furthers our mission to promote the well-being of seniors throughout Santa Cruz County.
We’re proud to partner with local businesses that share our commitment to giving back!
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.