National Charity League (NCL) Surf Cities Chapter has been a dedicated supporter of Community Resource Center for decades, serving our community through compassion and consistent volunteerism. This year, the NCL Class of 2028 carried that legacy forward by selecting CRC as their philanthropy focus—and their impact has been nothing short of inspiring. Through hands-on service, learning, and creative fundraising, these young leaders and their moms have become meaningful partners in our mission.
Learning Through Service
The class reached out in July to begin working together, starting with an interactive tour of the Food & Nutrition Center. The girls sorted donations, learned how our programs work, and even “shopped” for a family of four to experience the difficult decisions families must make when resources are limited.
Harrison, age 15, reflected: “I learned what it is really like to make hard decisions about food when you have limited resources.”
Her mom, Lindsey, shared: “It was a really wonderful experience… the moms and the daughters really learned a lot.”
Then again in August, six moms and seven daughters returned to deep clean the pantry—tackling shelves, windows, carts, fridges, tables, and even the bathroom. Our lead volunteer raved: “They did an AMAZING job … all with smiles!”
Raising Funds and Awareness
Their service didn’t stop there. The class hosted a garage sale in July, raising more than $800 for CRC’s domestic violence shelter program. At their October meeting, the girls invited CRC staff to share more about our work and presented their “big check” with pride.
They also organized a food and menstrual product drive, with a dad delivering a full carload of donations to the pantry on November 12.
A Fashion Show With Purpose
Each year, the NCL sophomore class hosts a fashion show designed to build confidence, leadership, and connection among the girls. This year, for the first time, the chapter chose a philanthropy partner—and the Class of 2028 chose CRC.
Their November 2 show at CSUSM featured a video about their volunteer work and highlighted why supporting the pantry matters to them. As the girls shared in their presentation:
“Choosing CRC as our philanthropy was a collective decision … Working together has strengthened our bonds with each other and allowed us to connect more deeply with our community.”
Growing Understanding, Growing Compassion
For many, volunteering at CRC brought new insight and empathy. One mom reflected:
“Hearing my daughter process her time in the pantry was eye-opening… I sensed that she and her peers were understanding the realities of food insecurity in a deeper and more meaningful way.”
Gratitude for a Remarkable Group
From hands-on service days to fundraising, from thoughtful learning to creative advocacy, the NCL Class of 2028 has embodied what community partnership is all about. Their energy, curiosity, and compassion have made a real difference—and we’re grateful for their commitment to helping local families thrive.
