The Nevada County Historical Society Searls Historical Library provides access to records of historical nature, for reference only. Books cannot be checked out but copies can be made of some items.

Offers materials on the area's history and the people and mines which contributed to the development of Nevada County. The Searls contains original documents, including ledgers, diaries, old county records, and letters. In addition, over 10,000 photographs are available for research purposes. Copies of any of the materials is available for a small fee. The Searls family of attorneys also left their early law case records, many of which are the only copies in existence.

Web pages

• Home - https://nevadacountyhistory.org/searls-historical-library/

Nevada City Elks Lodges o​ffers local service programs through the Nevada City Elks Lodge #518. Program offerings vary and support veterans, youth, and community engagement.

Services may include:

• Hosting veterans' support activities and events
• Providing youth scholarships and development programs
• Offering facility rentals for community use

Program availability may vary throughout the year. Contact the lodge directly for the most up-to-date information.

Web pages

• Home - http://www.nevadacityelks.com/

Sierra Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides services to people who are blind or visually impaired, including: peer and professional counseling, escorted transportation to medical and agency functions, educational classes, and skills training.

Web pages

• Home - http://www.sierraservices.org/

2-1-1 offers information on resources (as they become available) for the 2025 Holiday Season.

Thanksgiving is Wednesday, November 27th, 2025

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➢ Sierra Roots | Holiday Meal Service

• What? Sierra Roots provides a weekly hot lunch every Thursday at the Community Church in Nevada City for people experiencing homelessness. The service on Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving) and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas) will include a full holiday meal served at the regular time.
• When? Thursdays at 11:30am (doors open at 10:30am)
  • Holiday meals served on:
    • Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 27, 2025
    • Christmas Day | Thursday, December 25, 2025
• Where? Community Church, 300 Main Street, Nevada City, CA 95959

Eligibility:

• Open to people experiencing homelessness
• Walk-in only; sign-in with name requested
• No ID required; respectful behavior expected
• Leashed dogs allowed
• Children are not allowed at this service

Web pages

• 211 Western Nevada County Holiday Resources - https…

[read more]

2-1-1 offers information on resources (as they become available) for the 2025 Holiday Season.

Christmas is Thursday, December 25th, 2025.

Kwanzaa is Friday, December 26th, 2025.

Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 14th and ends at nightfall on December 22nd, 2025.

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➢ Sierra Roots | Holiday Meal Service

• What? Sierra Roots provides a weekly hot lunch every Thursday at the Community Church in Nevada City for people experiencing homelessness. The service on Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving) and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas) will include a full holiday meal served at the regular time.
• When? Thursdays at 11:30am (doors open at 10:30am)
  • Holiday meals served on:
    • Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 27, 2025
    • Christmas Day | Thursday, December 25, 2025
• Where? Community Church, 300 Main Street, Nevada City, CA 95959

Eligibility:

• Open to people experiencing homelessness
• Walk-in only; sign-in with name requested
• No ID required; respectful behavior expected
• Leashed dogs allowed
• Children are not allowed …

[read more]

Music In The Mountains produces live classical music performances featuring orchestral, choral, and chamber repertoire.

Web pages

• Home - http://www.musicinthemountains.org/

Partners in English Language Learning (PiELL) offers free, individualized tutoring for adult English language learners in Western Nevada County.

Volunteer tutors meet with students one-on-one in locations and at times that work for both.

Services include:

• One-on-one English language tutoring for adult learners
• English language assessment and tutor matching
• Preparation support for citizenship and driver’s license tests
• Volunteer tutor training twice per year (March and September)
• Ongoing mentorship for volunteer tutors

Additional notes

All tutors are fluent English-speaking volunteers trained by PiELL. Most students begin at a basic or low-intermediate level.

Learners and tutors commit to meet 1–2 times per week for at least one year. Students come from a wide range of countries and backgrounds.

Web pages

• Home - https://piell.org/

Vitalant Grass Valley Blood Donation Center provides opportunities for eligible people to donate whole blood, platelets, and plasma at a permanent blood donation center in Grass Valley. Donations support local hospitals and emergency needs.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.vitalant.org/donate/locations/blood-donation-grass-valley

The Food Bank of Nevada County offers food distributions in various locations.  

Grass Valley - Western Nevada County
2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 10am-1pm
Grass Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church
12889 Osborn Hill Rd, Grass Valley, CA 95945

Higgins Corner - Grass Valley - Southern Nevada County
3rd Thursday of each month from 3:30-5:30pm
Sierra United Methodist Church (near Lake of the Pines)
22559 W. Hacienda Dr, Grass Valley, CA 95949

North San Juan
2nd Tuesday of each month from 10am-12pm
Oak Tree School
18847 Oak Tree Rd, North San Juan, CA 95959

Town of Washington
3rd Wednesday of each month at 12pm
Washington Fire Department
15406 Washington Rd, Washington, CA 95986

Truckee
Tuesday from 4pm-5pm
Sierra Community House
12116 Chandelle Way, Suite D2, Truckee, CA 96161
Call to confirm if weather or other factors might affect distributions. 775-545-4083

Income guidelines are posted under the USDA tab here.

Web pages

• Home - https://foodbankofnc.org/get-food-here
• Income Guide…

[read more]

One Source – Empowering Caregivers provides cost-free, non-medical support to in-home caregivers and their clients.

This resource is eligible for electronic referral. One Source provides assessments for in-home family caregivers and clients to help create a specific plan to assist the in-home caregiver with respite and other resources.

Web pages

• Home - https://empoweringcaregivers.org/