Giving for the holidays
Area food banks and social service agencies are collecting donations to help the needy through the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. For a complete list, see www. mercurynews.com.
SANTA CLARA COUNTY
Santa Maria Urban Ministry needs turkeys, chickens, canned hams, vegetables, fruit, soup, peanut butter and dry milk, new toys, plus warm jackets for all ages, clean blankets and rain ponchos. Donations will be accepted 9 a.m.-noon, Monday-Friday at 778 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose. 408-292-3314, www. santamariasj.org. St. Joseph’s Family Center will serve a Christmas meal and distribute food baskets. The center needs frozen turkeys, chickens, hams, fresh fruits and vegetables, potatoes, pasta, canned food items and nonperishable food. Socks, blankets, sleeping bags, outdoor living supplies and new toys are also needed. The center will distribute food baskets on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Contact Vicky Martin at 408-842-6662, ext. 26. Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday through Dec. 21 at 7950 Church St., Suite A, Gilroy. West Valley Community Services is a nonprofit community-based agency providing services for families and individuals in need. Each holiday season, West Valley Community Services provides individuals and families with an opportunity to receive needed items as a gift. Our Holiday Shopping Spree assists families who may be transitioning out of a shelter into their own housing for the holidays, or who are struggling to make ends meet while building stable and selfsufficient lives. This year we would like your support with our Holiday Shopping Spree drive hosted by Roonga. You can support this program by clicking on the link www.roonga. com/wvcsholidayprogram. Holiday volunteer opportunities are also available. For more information, call 408255-8033 or go to www. wvcommunityservices.org.
The Salvation Army is asking for your help this year. For the holidays, we help those facing financial hardships. We are in need of toys for both boys and girls from 10 to 12 years of age. You can also help us provide our families with a festive holiday dinner by donating a frozen turkey and nonperishable foods.
Somos Mayfair is a community-based agency with 18 years of experience providing family support services to address the inequities faced by children and families in Mayfair, a low-income immigrant community of 13,000 residents (2,000 households) in East San Jose. We collect gift cards for children 12 and younger so that they can start the new year ready for school. Families often use our gift cards to purchase clothing and school supplies. We also welcome books that celebrate our diverse community and are bilingual. Contact Jessica PazCedillos at jpazcedillos@ somosmayfair.org or 408937-2570.