Our Mission

Join our community of dedicated volunteers, donors, and partners to bring hope to families in need. When a family transitions from homelessness or crisis into a new home in the Bay Area, we help them furnish it. We believe that families can thrive when they have a safe and comfortable home.

About Us

Grateful Gatherings began in 2013 when Donna and her family saw a 10-year-old named Ayisha on the local news talking about being homeless during the holidays. Donna connected with the family and delivered Christmas dinner and presents. A few months later, Ayisha’s family was placed in a new apartment but had nothing to furnish their new home… nothing! Donna emailed 20 friends; within four days, Ayisha’s family had enough furniture and household items to set up their new home and new life.

Grateful Gatherings has turned into a vibrant, close-knit, and dedicated community of volunteers, donors, and corporate partners who help furnish homes of families transitioning out of homelessness or crisis, including single mothers, foster children, and military veterans.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in the San Francisco Bay Area and our organization ID is #47-1169913. Thank you for your support.

The Team

Donna Wright Somerville

Donna Wright Somerville
Executive Director

Donna was a national television producer for over 20 years. During her career, she worked at ABC, NBC, CBS, as well as major cable outlets like Lifetime Television, HGTV, MSNBC and The Food Network. She produced talent including Matt Lauer, Joan Rivers, and Phil Donahue.

Christine Flitter

Christine Flitter
Director of Programs

Chris began her television career in local news at the NBC and FOX affiliates in San Francisco. Eventually she followed her passion for home design and moved to HGTV where over 12 years she developed, booked, wrote, and produced some of HGTV’s most successful shows.

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Local Community Impact

700+ PEOPLE SERVED BY 3500+ VOLUNTEERS SINCE 2013

Look no further for a better place to invest in your local community. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in the San Francisco Bay Area, we specialize in connecting volunteers, donors, and corporate partners with families who are transitioning from homelessness and crisis.

Poverty does not end when a family moves into a new apartment, so we donate household items (new and secondhand) and new mattresses to local families who deserve a safe, warm, and comfortable home.

View our 2020 Impact Report.

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Donate to Families in Need

We work with 20+ social service agencies to identify families who are transitioning from homelessness, poverty, or crisis.

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Support Your Community

Families that benefit from Grateful Gatherings all live in the Bay Area. We try to match volunteer groups with families as close as possible.

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Achieve Immediate Impact

After a Gathering, volunteers and families see an immediate impact when new apartments are transformed into safe, warm, and comfortable homes.

Kind Words From Friends

“Last night was the first time we ever ALL had beds to sleep in. Our own beds. It was the best night sleep ever, I am so happy!”
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Tiana
Mother of three after 16 months in a shelter
“I’m not a gamblin’ man, but this must be what it feels like to win the lottery!”
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Roderick
Formerly homeless veteran
“My girls are so happy and I just keep crying – thank you, thank you, thank you, this is a blessing beyond anything I could imagine!”
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Kimberle
Loving grandmother caring for her 3 granddaughters after their mother’s death in 2015
“This was the sign from God I have been waiting for. I was beginning to lose hope. Now look at my kids, they are so happy. Seeing you here is just a reminder of how hard I worked to get here. Thank you!”
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Deahlia
Mother of two lovely children

Are You Interested in Creating Your Own Gathering or Chapter?

Thank You For Your Support

Information for Donors and Volunteers

Sign up for email notifications about upcoming Gatherings. We notify our community of donors and volunteers as last minute household items are needed at Gathering events.

Information for Social Services Agencies

Are you a social service agency based in the San Francisco Bay Area? Do you have a family or individual in mind to receive household furnishings? If so, please fill out our short Client Form and Grateful Gatherings will contact you.

Information for Corporate Partnerships

Is your company interested in sponsoring or partnering with Grateful Gatherings? We have many opportunities for a team of any size with any budget to get involved. Please contact us to learn more.