Building Community Through Crisis: A Conversation with Elsa from Composed Giving

When the LA fires left families and individuals displaced and in urgent need, one woman

saw an opportunity to help quickly, compassionately, and with heart. Elsa, founder

of Composed Giving, didn’t wait for the perfect moment. She rallied donations, called on

volunteers, and created a temporary space to serve those affected. We at Valley Country Market were honored to offer our space as a home for that initiative.

What followed was a remarkable display of generosity. Essentials like clothing, hygiene

products, diapers, and everyday household items filled the space each one a symbol

of community in action. Volunteers showed up in droves. Strangers became friends.

People left not just with supplies, but with a sense of dignity and hope.

We had the privilege of sitting down with Elsa to hear more about her journey, what it

took to bring this effort to life, and how anyone no matter their resources can be part

of meaningful change.

Q&A with Elsa, Founder of Composed Giving

Tell us a bit about Composed Giving. What inspired you to start this

organization?

I started my first business, Composed Living, in 2016. We do professional organizing,

mostly in people’s homes, and a large part of this work is helping people to declutter. I

realized very early on that I had a real opportunity to use our client’s unwanted items to

help those in need. And that’s how Composed Giving came to be! We have grown over

the years from just doing the work because it’s the right thing to do, to becoming a full-

fledged 501(c)3 charitable organization.

When the LA fires broke out, what was your first thought? How did the idea for

a free shop come about?

I was sitting at home with my family and a few of our friends who had lost power, and

we were all glued to the TV in horror. It’s a terrible thing, watching something happen in

your community, being scared for your own family, and feeling helpless. By the second

day I understood how many people would be left with nothing, and knew that I had to

help. I reached out to Valley Country Market to see if they’d be willing to donate a larger

space, and within a few hours we were up and running! Since we already collect

donations and distribute them for free throughout the community, our basic

infrastructure was already in place - we just needed more space, and more people.

What were some of the biggest challenges in getting it off the ground?

Honestly, we had zero challenges getting up and running. It wasn’t until we saw the

sheer volume of donations pouring in that I realized we would need more structure. We

had started with one folding table and a few clothing racks and within 24 hours we

nearly filled 5,000sf with bags and boxes of donations. I am so thankful for the support

of our volunteers who brought in supplies, to The Container Store on Topanga for

donating several storage racks and clothing racks, and to Jodi Perlman (of Soto) for

gifting us dozens of tables and shelving units.

The community really rallied around this effort—how did that support come

together?

Our community is incredible. I emailed our clients, posted in my local Buy Nothing

Group and in the Maiden Community (a networking community for the SFV) and

immediately started receiving texts, donations, and people started showing up. I asked

our local Chambers of Commerce to share about our efforts, and members of both the

Warner-Center West Valley and Calabasas Chambers started showing up to donate

and to volunteer. Students from Topanga High School, which had been closed, came to

help sort clothes. We even had volunteers who had been evacuated come to help,

which is so special. By the end of the first week, we had more than 250 volunteers!

What kinds of items ended up being most needed or most requested?

Personal hygiene, toiletries, socks, and sweatshirts were the most requested items. We

received a lot of requests from fire departments for sunscreen, eye drops, and

chapstick.

Can you share a moment or story from the experience that really stayed with

you?

On the third day, an older woman came in by herself and told me she was an evacuee

and just needed a toothbrush. As we continued to chat, she shared that she lived alone

and had been out of the house when she learned that she could no longer return to her

home in Topanga. She had nothing with her, no chance to pack things or prepare. We

created a bundle of clothing and toiletries for her, included some food and water, and let

her know she could come back as many times as she needed. She returned a few days

later with tears in her eyes to tell me that she could go home. Feeling a connection to a

stranger, and knowing that we were able to provide the smallest comfort in the most

difficult time, is such a blessing.

What role did local businesses and volunteers play in making the free shop a

success?

Oh wow - this wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our community. The

way our volunteers rallied together every day, lifting each other up, helping strangers

and offering comfort - it was so beautiful. We had people showing up every single day.

Other professional organizers sent their teams to come help. The staff of Soto showed

up to organize the entire kids’ section (no small task). Local restaurants donated meals

to us (Cricca’s Deli, Greco’s New York Pizza, West Hills Pizza, Hank’s Bagels, Blue

Bottle Coffee). We had a team of dozens of volunteer drivers who would fill their cars

with bags and deliver them to families in need all over the county, making about 30

deliveries per day. The Container Store and Soto were so helpful in getting us the

supplies we needed. LalaLand Kind Cafe donated hundreds of beautiful tote bags.

Adidas sent boxes of brand new clothes, and SKKN by Kim (Kim Kardashian’s skin care

line) sent many boxes of skin care. We had people from other states ship donations to

us! And of course we had a core team of volunteers who were superheroes - they

showed up every day and were incredible leaders. I can’t express my gratitude enough

to them - their presence, support, and ability to jump in and do the work will stay with

me forever.

How do you personally stay grounded and hopeful in the face of so much

need?

Being of service is one of my core values, and I’m grateful to be able to help people. I

think it’s very easy to feel paralyzed by everything that’s happening in the world - there

is so much need, so much pain, so much work to be done. I focus on what I can do

today to help one person, or to make one decision that’s better for our planet. We forget

that for as much despair as there is in the world, there is just as much beauty. I find

great joy in connecting with people, and offering support when I can.

For anyone inspired by this, what’s the best way to get involved with

Composed Giving?

Reach out through our website or come into the store and chat with us! Be sure to

subscribe to our newsletter, since that’s where we share volunteer opportunities. And

follow us on instagram! @ComposedGiving

www.composedgiving.org

Looking ahead—what’s next for you and Composed Giving?

As we continue to expand, we need more volunteers to help us deliver items throughout

LA. We have some fun events coming up (a charity poker tournament, a women’s

clothing swap). I’m excited for more people to learn about our work, get involved, and

help us grow our impact!

A Quiet But Powerful Reminder

We’re deeply grateful to Elsa and her team at Composed Giving; as well as everyone

who gave their time, energy, and resources to make the free shop possible. Being able

to provide the space was a small part we were just one piece of a much larger,

beautiful puzzle of generosity.

This initiative reminded us that community isn’t just about proximity. It’s about showing

up, especially when it’s hardest. And with leaders like Elsa guiding the way, we know

this kind of good is just getting started.