Events

Gather. Give. Grow Stronger Together.

For nearly 50 years, Community Bridges has been a cornerstone of care on the Central Coast. Every year, our ten programs empower more than 20,000 children, families, and older adults with essential services—nutritious meals, reliable transportation, quality healthcare, family support, and crisis recovery.

Our mission is simple yet powerful: to ensure every neighbor has the dignity, stability, and opportunity they deserve.

One of the best ways to support this mission is by joining us at our annual fundraising events.

Why Our Events Matter

Each event is more than a celebration. It’s a chance to reconnect with our community and to show the impact of the work we do together. Sponsors, attendees, donors, and volunteers all play a part in raising the funds that keep essential services alive. By joining us, you’re helping to open doors, strengthen connections, and ensure our neighbors see—and feel—the care and commitment that goes into building a stronger community for all.

  • Sponsoring connects your brand with a trusted community-based organization while demonstrating your commitment to social responsibility to thousands via event marketing and sponsored social media posts, as well as the hundreds who join us.

  • Attending means you enjoy unforgettable experiences with local food, wine, and community while supporting vital services.

  • Volunteering creates welcoming, joyful events that bring neighbors together for a cause.

  • Donating ensures every dollar goes toward programs that directly impact the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors.

people viewing charity auction items
people dining at an event

Our Signature Events

Farm to Fork Gala – Summer

Join us for an elegant evening that celebrates the Pajaro Valley’s agricultural abundance and vibrant community spirit. Now in its 11th year, the Farm to Fork Gala is our largest fundraising event, bringing together local farmers, vintners, chefs, and supporters for a farm-to-table experience unlike any other. Proceeds benefit all ten Community Bridges programs, ensuring the more than 20,000 local residents that depend on our essential services and resources have access to food, transportation, healthcare, family support, and crisis recovery. 

Food from the Heart Luncheon – Winter

This heartfelt Valentine’s celebration, hosted by Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County, brings together local leaders, businesses, and community champions to fight senior hunger and isolation. Each year, Meals on Wheels serves 200,000 meals to roughly 2,000 older adults, helping them remain healthy, independent, and connected. The need has never been greater: nearly 1 in 4 seniors in Santa Cruz County lives alone, and many face limited mobility, fixed incomes, or chronic health conditions. For many participants, Meals on Wheels provides not only their primary source of nutrition but also critical human connection through friendly visits from volunteers.

The Mountain Affair – Fall

The Mountain Affair is a festive San Lorenzo Valley tradition that brings neighbors together to celebrate resilience and raise funds for Mountain Community Resources (MCR). Guests enjoy fine foods, local wines, and handcrafted auction items while supporting a vital hub that provides more than 12,000 annual points of contact through crisis support, disaster recovery, and family services. As the primary annual fundraiser for MCR, proceeds sustain weekly food distribution, parent education, housing navigation, health care enrollment, mental health counseling, and emergency preparedness.

Make Your Impact: Become An Event Sponsor

Our 2026 Sponsorship Opportunities can help your organization make a meaningful difference. Inside, you’ll find opportunities to sponsor our signature fundraising events, partner at a leadership level, or contribute through in-kind support. Each option offers unique ways to highlight your brand, connect with the community, and directly fund the essential services that reach more than 20,000 children, families, and older adults every year.

Explore Sponsorship Opportunities

Whether you choose to host a branded reception, sponsor a table, contribute an auction item, or step forward as a Community Leader partner, your investment fuels programs that provide meals, transportation, healthcare, disaster relief, and family support across the Central Coast. 

From delivering meals to seniors to providing early education, health care, transportation, and family support, Community Bridges offers a lifeline across all stages of life. We invite you to explore the sponsorship levels in our packet and connect with us to discuss the option that best fits your goals. Our team is ready to answer your questions and help you design a sponsorship package that maximizes your visibility while making the greatest impact for our community.

Contact us today at donations@cbridges.org or 831-227-6900 to learn more about how you can make an impact.

Please join us in welcoming Steven Matzie as the new Program Director of Elderday Adult Day Health Care!Steven brings more than a decade of experience supporting older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and community partners across Santa Cruz County. His background in care management, long-term care advocacy, inclusive senior programming, and local resource coordination will help guide Elderday’s next chapter of compassionate, community-based care.At Elderday, participants receive skilled health support, meaningful social connection, therapeutic activities, nutritious meals, transportation, care coordination, and caregiver respite—all helping older adults and people with disabilities remain safe, supported, and connected while continuing to live at home.We are also deeply grateful to longtime Program Director Lois Sones for her decades of leadership, advocacy, and commitment to dignified care for older adults, people with disabilities, and families.Welcome to Community Bridges, Steven. We’re excited for the future of Elderday under your leadership.Learn more about Elderday at CommunityBridges.org/elderday Read the full announcement: communitybridges.org/steven-matzie-to-lead-elderdays-next-chapter-of-compassionate-adult-day-health-care/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. 💪We all need support from time to time, and reaching out can be the first step toward healing. Whether you're feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, it's okay to ask for help. We're here for you when you need us.Call 831-476-7284 Ext. 103 to set up an appointment with one of our counselors, or visit communitybridges.org/frc for more details on our mental health services. If you need immediate suppo#itsoktoaskforhelps#MentalHealthMattersa#wecareM#CommunityBridgesommunityBridges ... See MoreSee Less
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✨ Announcing our 2026 Bridge Builder Award Honorees ✨Community Bridges is proud to recognize Karen Delaney and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation at this year's Farm to Fork Gala.Through decades of service, advocacy, and generosity, these remarkable honorees have helped strengthen the Central Coast and improve the lives of children, families, and older adults throughout our region.A longtime friend of Community Bridges, Karen Delaney has dedicated nearly 50 years to advancing volunteerism, civic engagement, and social justice. Her leadership and commitment have left a lasting impact on countless lives.For more than 25 years, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation has been a valued partner in creating opportunities and expanding access to critical resources. Their support of initiatives like the Eviction Defense Collaborative has helped families build stability and thrive.Together, these honorees embody the spirit of bridge building—bringing people together, investing in solutions, and helping create a more connected and equitable community.Join us in celebrating their extraordinary contributions at the 2026 Farm to Fork Gala on Saturday, June 27, from 5:00–9:00 p.m. at Seascape Golf Club.🎟️ Reserve your tickets today at communitybridges.org/farmtoforkWe look forward to celebrating with you! ... See MoreSee Less
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When a family loses a loved one to detention, everything can change overnight.At La Manzana Community Resources, part of Community Bridges, we see firsthand how quickly families are pushed into crisis—losing income, stability, and a sense of security.But we also see something else: resilience, gratitude, and the power of community.Through Puentes Para Familias, we’re able to provide support during these critical moments—helping families stay housed, keep food on the table, and hold onto hope.Sometimes, even a small act of support can mean everything.💛 When we come together, we make sure no family has to face these challenges alone.Support local families through Puentes Para Familias:communitybridges.org/puentes/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Estar preparado puede traer tranquilidad.En este video, la abogada de inmigración Lizett Rodriguez Pena comparte qué documentos pueden organizar las familias en caso de una emergencia, incluyendo identificaciones, pasaportes, actas de nacimiento, documentos de inmigración con su número A, documentos escolares, documentos médicos, contactos de emergencia y el nombre de una persona de confianza que pueda cuidar a sus hijos o seres queridos si es necesario.También menciona el California Child Care Safety Plan, un recurso útil que ayuda a las familias a reunir información importante, organizar documentos e identificar a personas de confianza para el cuidado de sus seres queridos.Esto no se trata de miedo. Se trata de preparación, protección y tranquilidad.Community Bridges se enorgullece de colaborar con Lizett Rodriguez Pena para ofrecer consultas gratuitas de inmigración para familias que viven en el Condado de Santa Cruz y el Valle de Pájaro.Llame al 831-724-2997, extensión 213 para programar una consulta gratuita de inmigración.No está solo. Nuestra comunidad es más fuerte cuando nos apoyamos unos a otros. ... See MoreSee Less
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50th Anniversary Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County - Community Bridges / Puentes de la Communidad logo

Celebrating 50 Years of Support

Join us at Food From the Heart to honor this legacy and support the future of senior care.

50th Anniversary Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County - Community Bridges / Puentes de la Communidad logo

Celebrating 50 Years of Support

Join us at Food From the Heart to honor this legacy and support the future of senior care.

Every Family Needs a Plan

Urge the Attorney General to adopt California’s Childcare Safety Plan.

This

giving tuesday

Strengthen
Our Roots

Since 1977, your generosity has helped our community grow stronger.