Readers give a record amount
Need has never been greater amid pandemic
Amid the tragedies and hardships wrought by a worldwide pandemic in a tumultuous year, generous East Bay Times readers reached deep into their pockets to
help neighbors in need.
Readers have contributed a record-breaking $482,134 so far to this news organization’s annual Share the Spirit campaign — which highlighted the devastating impacts of
COVID-19 on so many lives — benefiting nonprofits in Contra Costa and Alameda counties that provide critical services to the less fortunate.
That’s $216,490 more than last year and the deadline for giving isn’t over, said Tom Tamura of the Contra Costa Crisis Center, which administers the program.
“We are actually quite
blown away by the level of generosity,” Tamura said. “It’s just astounding when you know times are tough and people are still digging deep.”
Sharon Ryan, publisher of the Bay Area News Group, also marveled at the support.
“The overwhelming response from our subscribers and readers to this year’s campaign is a testament to the giving nature of the Bay Area,” Ryan said. “I am pleased that we were able to use our voice to help support community members in need.”
Tamura said the pandemic made donations even more crucial this year.
“We were immediately faced with having to come together (with the nonprofits) and we were unprepared because of the magnitude of what was needed,” he said.
Each holiday season, the East Bay Times publishes stories about the work of the nonprofits that receive its grants and the people who are helped. In all, grants went to 42 nonprofits.
Overall, about 40,000 people will benefit from the grants. This year donations came from some 1,700 readers, half of whom gave for the first time. Donations ranged from $1 to $30,000.
“It’s quite touching to see people donating whatever they can,” Tamura said. “We really appreciate everything that comes in, from the smallest donation on up.”
Share the Spirit is one of two company-sponsored programs that help the Bay Area’s neediest. Wish Book, sponsored by The Mercury News — the Times’ sister paper in the South Bay — also reported a record year, nearly doubling last year’s donations to raise $1,244,232.
Now in its 27th year, Share the Spirit is supported by individual, foundation and business contributions.
Since its inception, the Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation has provided some of the program’s most critical support, matching donations up to $25,000, and this year was no exception.
The Bay Area News Group also makes donations, adding $2,850 so far this year, according to company marketing manager Sharnel Ross.
The East Bay Times featured stories this season on nonprofits such as Antioch’s ShowerHouse Ministries, which offers mobile showers, food, clothes and other supplies for the homeless; Meals on Wheels Diablo Region Contra, which provides meals for homebound seniors; Swords to Plowshares, which helps homeless veterans; the Food Bank of Contra Costa/ Solano and more.
Dee Dee Robillard, projects coordinator for the Contra Costa Crisis Center, said readers were especially touched by the stories about ShowerHouse Ministries, Meals on Wheels and the Food Bank of Contra Costa/Solano.
“The readers really came through and saw how great the need was this year,” she said. “We get beautiful comments, and cards, and so many wonderful messages of support from readers. This really has been a tremendous year; a record number of gifts and a record amount given and after 2020, this really is a beautiful thing to see!”
Readers called the stories “heartbreaking” and
“touching” and “inspiring,” she said.
“The stories give humanity and hope to the recipients,” one reader said.
For Ken Rickner, founder of ShowerHouse Ministries, the grant has allowed him to buy more supplies than normal. The volunteer bought soap, shampoo, ponchos, gloves, beanies, tarps, sleeping bags, masks and more food to give to the homeless who visit his weekly mobile shower. He also was able to fill up the propane tanks that keep his mobile showers running and warm, he said.
“We got to spoil them with backpacks and all the necessities that they need; even sleeping bags,” he said. “If it wasn’t for the Share the Spirit funding, I would have run out of money. A lot of people have ‘gived-out’ and a lot of people aren’t working, so if it wasn’t for that, I don’t know what I would do. The Lord provides, but it’s because of the funding that we can keep on going.”
To read this year’s stories of the people helped by the nonprofit grants, go to sharethespiriteastbay.org/.
The Share the Spirit holiday campaign, sponsored by the Bay Area News Group, serves needy residents of Alameda and Contra Costa counties by funding nonprofit holiday and outreach programs. To make a tax-deductible contribution, go tosharethespiriteastbay. org/donate. Readers with questions and individuals or businesses interested in making large contributions, may contact the Share the Spirit program at 925-4725760 or sharethespirit@crisis-center.org.