How you 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:

Santa Clara County

Asian Americans for Community Involvement: is accepting new and unwrapped gifts for low-income families served by our domestic violence and human trafficking program, Asian Women’s Home through Dec. 15. We are seeking $50 Target gift cards, nonviolent toys, activity sets, board games, athletic equipment and more. Monetary donations are also welcome. Our full holiday wish list is available online at dv.aaci.org. If you have any questions, contact 408-975-2730, ext. 171.

Alum Rock Counseling Center: is hosting its Annual Toy Giveaway & Holiday Celebration for about 700 underserved children (ages 0-19) from East/Central San Jose, who otherwise might not receive a holiday gift. Items needed include: toys (especially for teens), wrapping paper, tape, ribbons/bows, baskets, bottled water, cookies, candy or other holiday snacks. Toy and item donations will be accepted at ARCC, 1245 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose, until Dec. 20. Don’t have time to shop? Monetary gifts are also welcome; donate online at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/102756. Contact Alma at 408-240-0070, ext. 311, or development@alumrockcc.org.

The Bay Area Furniture Bank (BAFB): is a taxexempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes no one should be forced to live, sleep and eat on the floor. Our mission is to provide furniture to those in need in the community who have suffered personal tragedy or disaster. In 2017, we provided furniture to 235 families, which included 350 adults and 248 children. These families included homeless veterans transitioning to subsidized housing, victims of natural disaster (fire and flood), domestic violence relocation, foster children and refugees. We also diverted 48 tons of furniture from going to landfill. Our organization is focused on helping veterans and victims achieve goals of self-sufficiency to improve the ability of families to take care of children. We rely solely on the monetary donations of the community, which can be made online at www.bayareafurniturebank.org or by phone at 650969-2100.

Bill Wilson Center: provides counseling, education and housing for homeless youth in Santa Clara County. BWC’s Adopt-A-Family program fulfills holiday wishes of more than 1,600 of the neediest youth and families selected by the County Department of Family and Children’s Services. These families have cases with the DFCS due to abuse or neglect; our goal is to provide a bit of extra joy during the holiday season. BWC needs gift cards (Walmart, Target, etc.). These youth rarely get the opportunity to buy something new and the parents (biological and foster) rarely get to buy something special for themselves. The organization is at 3490 The Alameda, Santa Clara. 408243-0222, www.billwilsoncenter.org.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley: offers out-of-school enrichment programs for more than 3,000 at-risk youth, ages 6-18 years, at 12 locations throughout Santa Clara County. We are always in need of school, supplies, art supplies and board games. Also needed are gift cards for teens (Target, Safeway). Monetary donations for school uniforms and computers are greatly needed and appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at 518 Valley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Volunteers are also always needed. Contact Alethia Ruiz at alethia@bgclub.org; website bgclub.org.

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County: serves 38,000 children and adults of all cultures and beliefs through 34 programs at 80 locations throughout Santa Clara County. Ways to give to our clients at the holidays and year round: cash donations toward rental assistance; gift cards for youth and families struggling to get by; bus passes for transportation to school and work; winter jackets/ sweaters for children and adults; cozy blankets for seniors. Items should be new and unwrapped please. To donate, call 408-3255125 or email lpippin@CatholicCharitiessSCC.org. Catholic Charities is located at 2625 Zanker Road, San Jose. Learn more atwww.catholiccharitiesscc.org.

Child Advocates of Silicon Valley: recruits, trains and supports community volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates to children in the Santa Clara County dependency system. CASAs provides critical emotional and educational support to foster children, ensuring that their needs are met, and their voice is heard in dependency hearings. We are seeking gift cards for teens (Kohl’s, Target, and Walgreens) and new toys for children of all ages. Monetary contributions are always appreciated. Donations can be brought to Child Advocates, 509 Valley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. For volunteer opportunities, go to www.BeMyAdvocate.org.

Cityteam: is helping thousands of low-income families in need this holiday season with food boxes, meals, coats and Christmas toys. Bring your canned food, unwrapped toys, new or gentle used coats, winter scarfs, hats and gloves to Cityteam Community Services, 1297 N. 13th St., San Jose, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. We are always in need of volunteers to help us serve 650 meals each day. To volunteer, go to www.cityteam.org/volunteer or call 408-232-5600.

Community Solutions’ Holiday Giving Program: provides gifts and necessities to low-income families for the holidays. We currently need grocery cards, gift cards, diapers (especially large sizes), warm blankets, socks (all sizes), baby items (new bottles, teethers, etc.), chunky baby books, sweatshirts (especially men’s sizes), and cleaning supplies (laundry soap, bathroom cleaner, etc.). As these are gifts, we are requesting new, unused items only. For information on how to donate, contact Paige Day at 408-846-4713 orpaige.day@communitysolutions. org or go to communitysolutions.org. Community Solutions is a comprehensive nonprofit human services agency serving children, families and individuals in South Santa Clara County and surrounding areas.

ConXión to Community: a community-based, nonprofit that provides education, workforce, behavioral health and other services to disconnected youth and adults since 1977. It’s important to remember older youths during the holiday season. Youths ages 13-18 are often overlooked, yet they are still children and should be given the same pleasures as younger youths. Help a teenager smile. Donate toiletries, socks, gloves, scarfs, gift cards, movie passes. Something so simple can change the life of a youth. 749 Story Road, Suite 10, San Jose, CA 95122-2600 or call 408-213-0961, ext. 23, and ask for Lori.

Downtown Streets Team (DST): builds teams that restore dignity, inspire hope, and provide a pathway to recover from homelessness. The volunteer Work-Experience Program provides homeless and at-risk Team Members an opportunity to beautify their community in exchange for case management, employment services, and a basic needs stipend. To date, DST has found over 1,400 homes and jobs for people who used to live on the streets. Monetary donations, gift cards, socks and hygiene products are all ongoing needs. Contact Kalie to learn more Kalie@StreetsTeam.org or go to StreetsTeam.org.

Eating Disorders Resource Center: As is true for other mental illnesses and addictions, the holidays are a challenging time for those struggling with eating disorders and body image issues. EDRC hosts free weekly support groups for individuals who do not have insurance or the ability to pay for services. Many people do not realize that eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia and binge eating, affect all ages, genders, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. Your contribution makes it possible for us to continue to offer free support groups and vital resources for individuals and families in need. Checks may be mailed to: Eating Disorders Resource Center, 15891 Los Gatos-Almaden Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032. Or donate online at www.edrcsv.org.

The Family Giving Tree:

fulfills the exact holiday wishes of children and seniors in need throughout the Greater Bay Area. This year we need your help filling the wishes of 80,000 deserving children and seniors. Pick up a wish tag at a participating Wells Fargo Bank location in the South and East Bay, fulfill a wish online at www.familygivingtree.org/donate or call 408-946-3111 to make a contribution. You can make holiday wishes come true this season!

Family Supportive Housing: provides interim emergency housing and supportive services to families experiencing homelessness. Financial donations are most needed this holiday season. Gift cards for gas, groceries and clothing are also appreciated. We also have many volunteer opportunities. Contact Christi Moyer Kelly at 408-5165106, or go to www.familysupportivehousing.org and click on “how to help.”

HomeFirst Services: will, again this year, offer a warm bed and meals to more than 1,000 homeless individuals: infants to seniors, veterans & families — each day at our three Cold Weather Shelters in San Jose, Sunnyvale & Gilroy, through April 15. Donations can be made to HomeFirst, 507 Valley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035. For online donations, go to www.homefirstscc.org/ donate. Our most vulnerable neighbors also need towels, twin size sheets, rain ponchos, small toiletry items, nonperishable snacks, new white socks and underwear (including bras in all sizes), sweatpants, sweatshirts and store gift cards. Contact Tracie Wallace at info@homefirstscc.org, 408539-2143.

Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley: empowers people facing difficult challenges to have better lives. We assist more than 5,000 low income people in need and accept supermarket, gas and department store gift cards; toys; and cash donations year-round. New unwrapped toys, gift cards, unexpired nonperishable food, and cash donations are needed throughout the

winter holidays to bring light and warmth to appreciative families (including refugees) and seniors. Donations can be dropped off 8:30 a.m.5:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Fridays at 14855 Oka Road, Suite 202, Los Gatos. Monetary donations can be made online at www.jfssv.org. 408-556-0600.

LifeMoves: formerly InnVision Shelter Network, provides interim housing and supportive services for homeless families and individuals to rapidly return to stable housing and achieve long-term self-sufficiency. Last year, LifeMoves served over 10,000 people: 93 percent of families and 72 percent of singles returned to stable housing. To help directly support homeless children and adults during this holiday season, LifeMoves requests financial contributions as well as donations of gift cards, linens and bedding, new socks undergarments, kitchen supplies, and dishware. For more information about all our holiday giving opportunities, go to www.lifemoves.org/holidays.

Live Oak Adult Day Services: needs soft, warm items like socks, sweaters, sweats, hoods, gloves, scarves, to give to our seniors as stocking stuffers and personal gifts from Mr. & Mrs. Santa when they come to visit each of our four centers. We also need nutritious, nonperishable foods including, tuna, peanut butter, low-sugar snacks, 100 percent fruit juices, canned fruit, low-sodium canned vegetables, grocery and retail gift cards are welcome. To donate call 408-9719363 or email liveoakdaycare@att.net. Additionally, go to our website at www. liveoakadultdaycare.org.

Martha’s Kitchen: a private nonprofit, community-based agency needs frozen turkeys and 5-pound canned hams. Donations may be dropped off at Martha’s Kitchen, 311 Willow St., corner of Locust Street, at the Sacred Heart Church grounds, 6 a.m.- 2 p.m. Mondays, Thursday and Fridays; 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 408-293-6111, www.marthas-kitchen.org. We are closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1.

NAMI Santa Clara County:

offers practical experience, support, and education to anyone concerned about mental illnesses and their treatment in Santa Clara County. We work with public organizations, private businesses and the media to increase knowledge of effective ways of treating the illnesses while advocating for research and improved services for individuals with mental illness. Our Warmline/Help Desk has trained and knowledgeable volunteers with lived experience who offer free and confidential information and support services to individuals, family and friends who have been affected by mental illness. We are requesting donations for our annual Holiday Gift Drive (socks, scarves, gloves, hats, travel sized toiletries, decks of playing cards, pocket calendars, $5 gift cards for food and beverages), for gift bags which are delivered to over 600 people in need at local hospitals, self-help centers, churches and homeless shelters. Our office hours are 10a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call us at 408-453-0400, option 1; or visit us at 1150 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 24, San Jose, CA 95128 (during office hours); or email us at info@namisantaclara.org.

Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence (NDS): asks our community to help make the holidays a little bit brighter by providing items for our Winter Open House celebration for our clients and their children on Dec. 16. Gift cards in $25 increments (i.e., Target, Mi Pueblo Foods); new books, especially multilingual or multicultural, and new stuffed animals. NDS also will accept monetary donations. Next Door Solution’s mission is to end domestic violence in the moment and for all time, supporting survivors on their path from crisis to selfsufficiency. Contact us at development@nextdoor.org or 408-501-7544, www. nextdoor.org.