The city of West Hollywood is partnering with West Hollywood Elementary School on a donation drive in observance of MLK Day. (Beverly Press/Park Labrea News file photo)

The city of West Hollywood will continue its tradition of community service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day by holding a donation drive benefitting people who are experiencing homelessness.

West Hollywood, in partnership with West Hollywood Elementary School and Friends of West Hollywood Elementary, will collect monetary and gift card donations to support the purchase of new socks, blankets and sleeping bags for homeless individuals. The West Hollywood Homeless Initiative, a partnership between the city, nonprofit service providers, Los Angeles County agencies and the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, provides services to reduce homelessness and support community members who are unhoused. This year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is part of West Hollywood Elementary’s effort to help people in need in the community. The school is supporting and raising awareness about the donation drive.

Due to COVID-19, the donation drive will be held virtually from Jan. 15-31, instead of an in-person day of service event. Monetary donations can be made by visiting secure.qgiv.com/for/homeless. Gift cards and personal checks should made to City of West Hollywood and mailed to West Hollywood Homeless Initiative/MLK Day of Service, West Hollywood City Hall, 8300 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069.

The city is also encouraging donations to the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Youth Center, which has posted the CARE 4 Youth Essentials wish list on Amazon at lalgbtcenter.org/care4youth. The pandemic caused West Hollywood’s 10th annual clothing drive for the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Youth Center on Highland Avenue to be canceled. Instead, the city is encouraging virtual donations of supplies for LGBT youth who are experiencing homelessness.

For information, visit lalgbtcenter.org/social-service-and-housing/youth and weho.org.