ABOUT THE FUND

For the past 36 years, The Chronicle’s Season of Sharing Fund has helped more than 170,000 Bay Area individuals and families facing unexpected life crises to stay in their homes and keep food on the table until they can get back on their feet. The idea of neighbors helping neighbors was introduced to The Chronicle in 1986 by the late Walter A. Haas Jr. and Ira Hirschfield, president emeritus of the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund. Since then, the Season of Sharing Fund has distributed more than $177 million to help those living in the Bay Area.

Each year, the fund provides one-time assistance to about 5,000 individuals and families, allocating most of its funds for housing needs as well as paying for other critical necessities such as wheelchairs or essential furniture. Assistance is provided directly to the suppliers of services, such as landlords. Individuals do not receive direct assistance from the Season of Sharing Fund.

The fund, which also distributes more than $2 million each year to local food banks, relies on donations from readers. The money is distributed year-round.

Every penny of your donation goes to help those who need it most. All expenses are covered by the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund and The Chronicle. We are proud to say that since the fund’s inception, 100% of the money raised has gone directly to help the families and communities we serve.