Approximately 250 farmworker families were impacted by February's torrential rains. Activists say many farmworkers missed weeks of work because they were unable to leave their homes due to flooding of main roads.
"They were impacted by the rains, for one, because their subsistence depends on being able to work in local agriculture so not being able to work," said Arcela Nunez Alvarez, research director at the National Latino Research Center at California State University San Marcos.
"Even missing out on one day or in this case probably weeks of income is really going to have a dramatic impact on their ability to pay their bills, to put food on the table, and to sustain their families," she said.
Alvarez said the farmworkers need tarps, food, blankets and warm clothing.
"We found out that many of their houses, which are predominantly mobile homes, pretty old ones, might have had leaky roofs and so they're looking at making some immediate repairs," she said.
Donated items will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday, February 25, to Friday, March 1, at the following locations:
CSUSM National Latino Research Center:
Social and Behavioral Sciences Building, Suite 2142, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos
1234 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Suite 100, Vista
Fallbrook Human Rights Committee:
260 Almond Street, Fallbrook
You can hear this story and other local news every morning by subscribing to San Diego Stories, KPBS’ daily news podcast. Subscribe via iTunes, Google Play or your favorite podcatcher.