Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday—a global day of generosity dedicated to supporting the causes that make our communities thrive. Noozhawk is proud to partner with local nonprofits to inspire meaningful action and giving.
Explore our Giving Guide to discover and support the incredible organizations making a real impact right here in our community. Whether it’s a single donation or multiple, your contribution can help make a difference this holiday season.
In this interview Noozhawk spoke with Angela Miller-Bevan, CEO & Executive Director at Unity Shoppe to learn more about how the nonprofit provides essentials to community members in need.
Unity Shoppe, Inc.
Question: What is the name of your nonprofit, and what is its mission?
Answer: Unity Shoppe- Unity Shoppe is committed to providing resources, such as groceries, clothing, and other essentials, to Santa Barbara County residents impacted by temporary conditions of poverty, life transitions, natural disasters, or health crises. We aim to reinforce human dignity and encourage self-sufficiency and independence.
Q: How long has your organization been serving the community, and who founded it?
A: THE HISTORY OF UNITY
One of Santa Barbara’s most beloved and long-standing charities was founded over a hundred years ago.
1917
Famed civic leader, historic preservationist and conservationist, Dr. Pearl Chase, among many other things also founded Unity Shoppe’s predecessor, known as the Council of Christmas Cheer in 1917.
It was a charity staffed with volunteers who collected food, clothing, and used toys to give to mothers who were heading up households while their husbands had been drafted to fight in the military during World War I.
1972
By 1972, Barbara Tellefson, Unity Shoppe’s founder, fondly described as “Saint Barbara,” began her first 20 years of volunteerism with Dr. Pearl Chase at the Council. When she was asked about those early years with the Council, Barbara explained: “I was immediately struck by how the Council welcomed and aided all Santa Barbarans — the young, old, rich and poor, people from all races, creeds and colors. As Dr. Chase was getting ready to retire, Barbara made a promise to her that she would commit her life to helping the most vulnerable as best as she could for as long as she could.
1983-1987
In 1983, Barbara was able to secure the Council’s first building to avoid the incredible hardship of repeated moves from rental spaces. By 1987, the Council was renamed Unity Shoppe thanks in part to the support of entertainer Kenny Loggins and local television station KEYT-TV as partners in the production of a fundraising telethon in support of Santa Barbara’s low income residents.
But Barbara took it a step further, insisting that people in need should never be made to feel they have to turn over their dignity, autonomy, or independent decision-making in order to receive something in return. This sentiment was imbued in Unity Shoppe’s work and remains its core purpose to this day.
In 2012, country singer Brad Paisley and his family volunteered at Unity Shoppe while visiting Santa Barbara and were so taken by how the mission was executed, they committed the next few years to replicating the model in their hometown of Nashville, calling it The Store and launching it two years later.
Q: What motivated the creation of your nonprofit?
A: The creation of Unity Shoppe, a nonprofit organization, was motivated by a deep commitment to providing essential services and support to individuals and families facing economic hardship. It was founded in 1917 in Santa Barbara, California, with the mission of addressing poverty, hunger, and homelessness in the community. The organization sought to empower people in need by offering food, clothing, and other basic resources, helping them regain self-sufficiency and dignity during difficult times.
Unity Shoppe was initially inspired by the idea that a community should come together to care for its most vulnerable members. The founders believed that through the collective effort of local residents and businesses, they could create a sustainable model of aid that supported those facing crises and helped them move toward stability.
Q: How is your nonprofit primarily funded, and what are its biggest needs right now?
A: Unity Shoppe is funded through a combination of donations, grants, and community support. The organization relies heavily on the generosity of individuals, businesses, and local foundations to fund its operations and services. Here are the primary sources of funding and the needs of Unity Shoppe:
Sources of Funding:
Individual Donations: One of the primary sources of funding for Unity Shoppe comes from donations made by individuals in the community. This includes both one-time gifts and ongoing, recurring contributions from people who want to support the mission of the organization.
Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Unity Shoppe works with local businesses and corporations, who often provide financial support, in-kind donations, or sponsor events to help fund its operations.
Grants: The nonprofit also applies for grants from foundations, government programs, and other entities that support community-focused initiatives, especially those related to poverty alleviation, homelessness, and hunger relief.
Fundraising Events: Unity Shoppe organizes an Annual Telethon every year that airs on KEYT
In-Kind Donations: Donations of goods, such as clothing, food, household items, and other necessities, are another form of support that helps keep Unity Shoppe running. These items are distributed to clients in need.
Q: How do you allocate your funding to support your mission?
A: Unity Shoppe prioritizes funding based on community needs, ensuring that the most urgent services, like food and emergency assistance, are adequately supported. Following these, the organization allocates funds to programs aimed at long-term self-sufficiency.
In summary, Unity Shoppe allocates its funding primarily to direct services for people in need (food, clothing, emergency assistance, job training), followed by the costs of maintaining staff, facilities, and infrastructure, as well as fundraising efforts. The goal is to ensure the maximum impact on the community by efficiently using funds to help those facing poverty and economic difficulties.
Q: What types of events or programs do you run to engage your community and raise funds?
A: Unity Shoppe is excited to announce its 38th Annual Holiday Celebration and Telethon, happening on December 13th from 5-8 p.m. at the Kenny Loggins Event Center on Sola Street. The event will be broadcast live on KEYT and feature special appearances by Kenny Loggins, Brad Paisley, Michael McDonald, and other surprise celebrity guests!
Duane Henry will join Beth Farnsworth and CJ Ward this year to MC the Event.
Unity Shoppe’s Client Service Center, located at the event center, is a crucial resource for families, children, seniors, and individuals in need, all referred by one of the 400 partner agencies. Here, clients can shop in a store-like environment for groceries that support a healthy diet and household necessities, personal care items, and clothing. The funds raised from the Telethon will be vital in helping the Client Service Center and other essential programs, ensuring fresh, healthy, and non-perishable foods.
During the winter holidays, thousands of children and their families visit Unity Shoppe’s Holiday Store to select their favorite toys and gifts, creating a joyful and memorable season for all.
In addition to the festivities at the Event Center, filming will take place at Unity Thrift and Gift Shoppe, located at 1209 State Street. The sale of donated items at these shops directly benefits Unity Shoppe’s numerous programs. One such program, Seniors Helping Seniors, sees over 600 senior volunteers providing essential services to more than 3,000 homebound seniors and disabled adults, fulfilling requests from hospitals, senior centers, and other community organizations.
Unity Shoppe’s Transitional Assistance Program(TAP) and Job Smart services are also based at this location, offering vital support to individuals transitioning into new housing after experiencing homelessness and helping them with job search resources.
This heartwarming community event showcases the spirit of giving and the transformative impact of Unity Shoppe’s services on thousands of lives every day. By empowering families with choices and maintaining their dignity, Unity Shoppe provides a unique lifeline to those in need.
Q: How is your team structured?
A: Angela Miller-Bevan, Executive Director/CEO
Cynthia Hooper, Director of Operations
Kevin Easter, Inventory Control Manager
Priscilla Hernandez, Volunteer and Program Coordinator
And many great, dedicated employees.
Q: How can people get involved with your nonprofit or volunteer?
A: Getting involved as a volunteer with Unity Shoppe is a meaningful way to support your community. Here’s how you can start:
Visit our website at unityshoppe.org/volunteer
Unity Shoppe typically provides detailed volunteer information on our official website, including current opportunities and how to sign up.
Q: What sets your nonprofit apart from similar organizations?
A: We want to make sure all clients that come through our doors are treated with Dignity, Choice and Respect.
Q: Can you share a fun fact or little-known detail about your nonprofit that would surprise people?
A: Unity Shoppe is one of the oldest non-profits in Santa Barbara, and it was started by Dr. Pearl Chase.
Q: Could you share a story or two about individuals whose lives have been positively impacted by your organization?
A: This past year, a young mother of two came to us after being homeless and experiencing domestic violence. The Housing Authority housed them and, partnering with our Transitional Assistance Program (TAP), provided them with housewares, clothing, food, and essentials. This mother and her children have continually stated how grateful they are for the support and fresh start that Unity Shoppe, enabled by your generous donations, provided them.
Q: How do you share your nonprofit’s impact and updates with the public?
A: We have an annual impact report.
Q: What makes your organization trustworthy for donors, and are there other ways people can support your cause beyond donations?
A: Unity Shoppe is a beacon of hope, dedicated to providing essential resources—like food, clothing, and household goods—to individuals and families facing tough times. They don’t just distribute aid; they build connections, allowing donors to see the real, meaningful impact of their contributions in the community. By inviting volunteers and donors to join their efforts, Unity Shoppe creates a powerful sense of belonging and shared purpose, inspiring confidence through personal involvement. With decades of unwavering service, they’ve earned the trust of countless supporters, proving time and again that they’re a steadfast partner in lifting up those in need.
Q: Can you highlight one immediate goal and one long-term vision your nonprofit aims to achieve in the next year?
A: We opened a Unity Shoppe in Lompoc and hope to open another in Santa Maria to cover North County.
Click here to support Unity Shoppe’s mission to reinforce human dignity and encourage self-sufficiency and independence.
Check out Noozhawk’s Guide to Giving for a full list of nonprofits to donate to this giving season.
If you would like to include your nonprofit in our Good for Santa Barbara section and Giving Guide click HERE.