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, non-violent 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, extension 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 — you can donate online at https://donatenow.networkforgood. org/102756. Contact Alma at 408-240-0070, extension 311, or development@ alumrockcc.org.
The Bay Area Furniture
Bank (BAFB): is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit which believes that 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 & 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 650-969-2100. Bill Wilson Center: provides counseling, education, and housing for homeless youth in Santa Clara County. BWC’s AdoptA-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. 408-243-0222, www. billwilsoncenter.org.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley: offers out-ofschool 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, from 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) 325-5125 or email lpippin@ CatholicCharitiessSCC.org. Catholic Charities is at 2625 Zanker Road, San Jose. Learn more atwww.catholiccharitiesscc.org.