Frequently Asked Questions

Services:

Financials:

Social Services & SOS Food Pantry:

Medical Care

Adopt a Family:

Volunteering

Answers

What does Share Our Selves do?

Share Our Selves is a non-profit organization providing a broad range of services including emergency funds, food, clothing, medical care, dental care, and counseling to low–income residents in Orange County, California. We provide these services with the help of over 400 volunteers.

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How many people are helped each year?

In 2011, Share Our Selves provided the following services:

  • Financial Aid Visits – 8,057 Financial Aid Visits
  • Groceries – 44,999 bags of groceries
  • Medical Clinic – 11,840 patient visits
  • Dental Clinic – 6,790 patient visits
  • SOS-El Sol Wellness Center – 471 patient visits
  • Back to School – 2,513 children received backpacks and school supplies
  • Thanksgiving – 1,519 Thanksgiving food bags were distributed
  • Adopt A Family – 1,389 families with 4,402 children received gifts and food

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Who does Share Our Selves serve?

Share Our Selves serves

  • All of Orange County
  • Those living at or near the poverty level
  • The uninsured
  • The working poor
  • Families
  • The homeless

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Who are the homeless?

A person is considered homeless if they have no fixed or regular nighttime residence (including motels), have received an eviction notice and have no resources for housing, or are staying in a temporary shelter or place that is not designed for housing, such as a car or garage.

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How long has Share Our Selves been in operation?

Share Our Selves was founded in 1970 by a group of concerned individuals, primarily members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Costa Mesa.

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What is Share Our Selves’s annual operating budget?

The 2011–2012 fiscal year budget for SOS is $4.8 million; including in-kind donations SOS manages a $5.9 million dollar budget.

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How many employees work for Share Our Selves?

Approximately 40 employees.

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How is my donation dollar spent?

Out of every dollar, $.90 goes to direct program services; $.10 to administration, fund-raising, and other non-program services.

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Where does the food come from?

Food is purchased and donated by many area stores and restaurants (see list) and is delivered daily. Other food, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, is purchased from local food banks and produce merchants and delivered three times per week.

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What kind of health services does Share Our Selves provide?

The medical clinic providers include general practitioners, gynecologists, cardiologists, nephrologists, optometrists, and physical therapists. Several local doctors and healthcare facilities make themselves available for services we are unable to provide.

A dispensary is available on site for SOS patients, as is a laboratory and an eye clinic providing eye examinations and glasses.

The medical clinic also provides a CHRONIC CARE PROGRAM, treating patients with diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, asthma, and other conditions.

The dental clinic offers hygiene, x-rays, fillings, extractions, dentures, and partials.

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What is the relationship between Share Our Selves and Hoag Hospital?

There is a close relationship between Share Our Selves and Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. Hoag provides SOS with finanical support and the doctors on staff at Hoag Hospital are the primary volunteers staffing the clinic. (more...)

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What is the Adopt A Family program?

The SOS Adopt A Family program matches families that have been selected by local schools to donors who provide holiday gifts and food. The donors bring their items to the Orange County Fair & Event Center and the representatives from the schools pick up the items and distribute them to the families. Click here to view information from past Adopt A Family programs.

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Who can volunteer?

For information on how to volunteer at SOS, contact Julie Larson, Manager, Volunteer Services, at (949) 270-2113. You may also print the Volunteer Application and send it. Professional providers can fill out and send in the Volunteer Provider Application.

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How can someone volunteer?

For information on how to volunteer at SOS,contact Julie Larson, Manager, Volunteer Services, at (949) 270-2113. You may also print the Volunteer Application and send it. Professional providers can fill out and send in the Volunteer Provider Application.

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What schools are we affiliated with? What does this affiliation mean?

Students at many area schools are currently fulfilling course requirements by volunteering at SOS. Additionally, staff members are involved with planning groups and fellowship programs. Click here to view the SOS University Chart.

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