Plenty of ways to donate to causes

Looking for ways to make a difference this holiday season? Here are some ways to help philanthropic groups throughout the Bay Area.

Santa Clara County

Alum Rock Counseling Center: The 2018 Toy Drive and Holiday Appeal is underway. Donate $100 or more to ARCC through Dec. 31 and receive a $5 Starbucks gift card. For toy drop-off locations and details, go to www.alumrockcc.org or call 408-240-0070, ext 3020.

Asian Americans for Community Involvement: Collecting new, unwrapped toys and children’s clothing through mid-December for children of our most underserved clients, including families of refugees and survivors of domestic violence. Seeking nonviolent toys, activity sets, board games, athletic equipment and more. Monetary donations are also welcome. A full holiday wish list is available at aaci.org/holiday-toy-drive-2018 or on AACI’s Amazon Wishlist, a. co/0wxYwG6.

The Bay Area Furniture Bank: This nonprofit, which believes no one should be forced to live, sleep and eat on the floor, provides furniture to families, who have suffered personal tragedy or disaster. Monetary donations can be made at bayareafurniturebank.org. Bill Wilson Center: Santa Clara County’s Adopt-AFamily program fulfills holiday wishes of more than 1,600of the neediest youth and families selected by the county Department of Family and Children’s Services. www.billwilsoncenter.org. Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley: Provides enrichment programs for more than 3,000 at-risk youth at 12 locations throughout Santa Clara County. Board games and school and art supplies are always needed. Support the holiday gift drive by donating a new, unwrapped gift or gift cards for boys and girls, ages 6-18, at 518 Valley Way, Milpitas. bgclub.org.

Caminar / Family & Children Services of Silicon

Valley: Help to brighten the season for local families and adults who are healing from family violence, mental illness or substance abuse and rebuilding their lives. Most sought: $5-$10food/ beverage gift cards, toiletries, and new adult/child socks, knit hats and coats. 650-513-1509; development@caminar.org. www. caminar.org Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County: Serving 40,000people of all cultures and beliefs, this organization welcomes cash and in-kind donations, including new, unwrapped blankets and winter jackets and sweaters for kids and adults. Items should be new and unwrapped. Cash donations — used for rent assistance, bus passes and other basic needs — will be matched this holiday season through a two-to-one challenge grant from the Sobrato Family Foundation. www.catholiccharitiesscc.org.

Child Advocates of Silicon Valley: Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASAs, provide critical emotional and educational support to foster children in dependency hearings. Donate gift cards for teens (Kohl’s, Target, Walmart) and new toys for children of all ages at Child Advocates, 509 Valley Way, Milpitas; www.BeMyAdvocate.org. Cityteam: Provides thousands of low-income families in need with holiday food boxes, meals, coats and Christmas toys. Donate canned food, unwrapped toys, new or gently used coats, winter scarves, hats and gloves to Cityteam Community Services, 1297 N. 13th St., San Jose, or volunteer in the dining hall. www.cityteam.org. Community Solutions’ Holiday Giving Program: Provides gifts and necessities to more than 600 low-income families for the holidays. Donate gift cards (Target, Walmart, grocery stores), new toys or gifts or cash donations; communitysolutions.org.

ConXión to Community: This nonprofit provides education, workforce and other services to disconnected youth and adults. conxion. org/about-us.

Downtown Streets Team: DST has found more than 1,600 homes and jobs for people who once lived on the streets. Monetary donations, gift cards, socks and hygiene products are all ongoing needs. StreetsTeam.org.

Eating Disorders Resource Center: 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. Cash donations are always welcome. www.edrcsv.org.

The Family Giving Tree: Since 1990, the Family Giving Tree has provided adopta-family gifts for more than a million Bay Area children, families and seniors from low-income households. Fulfill a wish online at www. familygivingtree.org/donate or call 408-946-3111 to contribute.

Family Supportive Housing: Provides interim emergency housing and supportive services to homeless families. Financial donations are most needed this holiday season. Gift cards for gas, groceries and clothing are also appreciated. Go to www.familysupportivehousing.org and click on “how to help.”

Grail Family Services: By age 4, low-income children are already 18 months behind their more affluent peers. Help us change that. GFS gives low-income children a strong start, from birth, and equips their parents to support their success in school and life. www.gfsfamilyservices.org. HomeFirst Services: This agency provides services, shelter and housing opportunities to homeless and at-risk families and individuals in Santa Clara County. Cash and in-kind donations — including towels, twinsize sheets, rain ponchos, toiletries, new socks and underwear, sweatshirts and store gift cards — can be made at HomeFirst, 507 Valley Way, Milpitas, and www.homefirstscc.org/ donate.

Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley: Assists low-income people in need. Donations of cash and supermarket, gas and store gift cards are always welcome. New, unwrapped toys, gift cards and nonperishable food are especially needed during the winter holidays. www.jfssv.org. LifeMoves: Formerly InnVision Shelter Network, this organization provides interim housing and support services for homeless families. Cash, gift card and in-kind donations — linens and bedding, adult clothing, kitchen supplies and toiletries — can be made through www.lifemoves. org/holidays.

Live Oak Adult Day Services: Needs soft, warm items like socks, sweaters, gloves, etc., to give to our seniors as stocking stuffers and personal gifts from Mr. & Mrs. Santa. Also welcomes grocery and retail gift cards. To donate, call 408-9719363, email liveoakdaycare@att.net or go to www. liveoakadultdaycare.org.

Loaves and Fishes: Homeless and hungry families, children, seniors, veterans and students can receive a no-cost, hot nutritious