Howyou can help children, needy families
Area food banks and social service agencies are collecting donations to help the needy through the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Here’s how you can help:
THE PENINSULA Christmas Bureau of Palo Alto:
is a nondenominational and nonprofit organization. It helps bring the joys of the season by providing monetary assistance to over 3,400individuals comprised of low-income families, seniors and adults. The checks are used by recipients to meet their own needs. Please help us continue the joy of giving to those who need assistance. Send your tax-deductible check to: Christmas Bureau of Palo Alto, P.O. Box 51874, Palo Alto, CA 94303, or donate through Pay Pal. Go to www.christmasbureauofpaloalto.org.
Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos:
needs gifts and/or gift cards for teens, food donations, and volunteers to help provide holiday spirit to hundreds of families in the local community. Donations can be delivered 9a.m.-noon and 1:30-4p.m. weekdays at 204Stierlin Road, Mountain View. 650968-0836, www.csacares. org.
Ecumenical Hunger Program:
2411Pulgas Ave., East Palo Alto, is in need of help for the holidays. We can use donations of cash, gift cards from local department and grocery stores and teen gifts for underprivileged families in East Palo Alto, Palo Alto and Menlo Park. The agency also needs volunteers. Donations can be made not just for the holidays but also throughout the year as the number of people in need increases. Food items such as turkeys, ham and chicken are welcome. Please mail or drop off donations 9a.m.-5p.m. weekdays through Dec. 22. We also will be open Dec. 16and 17. Contact LaKesha at 650-323-7781, or go to www.ehpcares.org.
Peninsula Healthcare Connection:
is a state licensed medical clinic holistically serving homeless and low-income individuals in North Santa Clara County. PHC provides integrated primary, preventative and mental health care free of charge to community members who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Finan- cial donations are appreciated this holiday season. Your gift ensures PHC can continue to provide these services year-round. For more information, please contact Eileen Richardson at Eileen@peninsulahcc.org; website peninsulahcc.org.
Rebuilding Together Peninsula:
transforms lives by providing critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy-efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost to service recipients in San Mateo County and northern Santa Clara County. Over the next year, we will be serving 130 homeowners through the year-round Safe at Home minor home repair program, 40-50homeowners and 20-30community facilities through the National Re- building Day program in the spring, and another 8-10 homeowners and community facilities through the summer/fall Team Build program. We are at 841 Kaynyne St., Redwood City. To donate or volunteer, contact 650-366-6597, website www.rebuildingtogetherpeninsula.org.
ALAMEDA COUNTY Viola Blythe Community Service Center of Newark:
37365Ash St., which serves children and families, needs fresh holiday food such as turkey, chicken, eggs, milk, as well as new, unwrapped toys, gift cards for food. Drop-off hours are 10a.m.4p.m. Mondays-Fridays through Dec. 23at 7730 Enterprise Drive, Newark. 510-794-3437, www.violablythe.org.