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Looking for ways to make a difference this holiday season? Here are several ways to help philanthropic groups throughout the Bay Area. And if you’re looking for ways to help those affected by the Camp Fire in Butte County, you’ll find that information here.
SANTA CLARA COUNTY
Alum Rock Counseling Center: The 2018 Toy Drive and Holiday Appeal has begun! Donate $100 or more to ARCC through Dec. 31 and receive a $5 Starbuck’s gift card. For toy drop-off locations and details, visit www.alumrockcc.org or call (408) 240-0070 ext 3020.
Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI): 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 non-violent 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 their Amazon Wishlist, http://a.co/0wxYwG6.
Bay Area Furniture Bank (BAFB): 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 https://bayareafurniturebank.org.
Bill Wilson Center: Santa Clara County’s Adopt-A-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. Learn more at www.billwilsoncenter.org.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley: This organization 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 their 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-$10 food/beverage gift cards, toiletries, and new adult/child socks, knit hats and coats. (650) 513-1509; development@caminar.org. www.caminar.org
Cancer CAREpoint: Provides non-medical support services to cancer patients, survivors, and their families at no-cost. Donate online at www.cancercarepoint.org/donate or call (408) 402-6285 to contribute.
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County: Serving 40,000 people 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. Learn more at www.catholiccharitiesscc.org.
Child Advocates of Silicon Valley: Court Appointed Special Advocates (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 Health Awareness Council: Since 1973, CHAC provides mental health counseling, social emotional learning programs in 34 schools and family counseling at its Mountain View clinic location. One in five teens suffer from mental health issues due to bullying, for example, anxiety, depression, divorce, housing or immigration insecurity or learning disabilities. Donations to CHAC support these children and their families when they need it most. Learn more at http://www.chacmv.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 non-profit provides education, workforce and other services to disconnected youth and adults. Learn more at http://conxion.org/about-us/.
Downtown Streets Team (DST): 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. Learn more at 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. Learn more at www.edrcsv.org.
Family Giving Tree: Since 1990, the Family Giving Tree has provided adopt-a-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 (GFS): 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, twin-size 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 non-perishable food are especially needed during the winter holidays. Learn more at www.jfssv.org.
Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley: Dedicated to strengthening Jewish community and helping Jews and others both locally and overseas. Visit www.jvalley.org for more information on how to donate.
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, please call (408) 971-9363, email liveoakdaycare@att.net or visit www.liveoakadultdaycare.org.
Loaves and Fishes: Homeless and hungry families, children, seniors, veterans and students can receive a no-cost, hot nutritious meal year-round. Your generous financial support and holiday food donations (frozen turkeys, canned hams, stuffing mix) would be most welcome; www.loavesfishes.org
Martha’s Kitchen: This private nonprofit, community-based agency is seeking frozen turkeys and 5-pound hams. Donations may be dropped off at 311 Willow St., San Jose at the Sacred Heart Church grounds through Dec. 23. Learn more at www.marthas-kitchen.org.
NAMI Santa Clara County: This agency, which offers support and mental health education, is holding an annual holiday gift drive — socks, scarves, gloves, hats, travel-size toiletries, playing cards, $5 gift cards for food and beverages — for gift bags that will be delivered to more than 600 people in need at local hospitals, self-help centers, churches and homeless shelters. Learn more at https://bit.ly/2DBFX7o and https://namisantaclara.org.
Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence: Needs help in providing items for its emergency pantry of basic hygiene items and diapers for survivors of domestic violence and their children. Please visit bit.ly/NDSWishList or contact development@nextdoor.org; (408) 501-7544; www.nextdoor.org
Portuguese Organization for Social Services and Opportunities: Seeking donations of toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, and paper towels), socks, gloves and toys for the needy. Monetary donations are most welcome and appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at the offices 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. 1115 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose. (408) 293-0877. www.portuguesecenter.org
RotaCare Bay Area: This volunteer alliance of medical professionals and volunteers provides free health care services to uninsured families. Learn more about how to volunteer or donate financially at www.rotacarebayarea.org.
Sacred Heart Community Service: This Santa Clara County organization distributes 7,400 holiday food boxes and 18,600 toys, bikes and books to families each holiday season. Drop off turkeys or new toys from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at 1381 S. First St., San Jose; www.sacredheartcs.org/holidays.
St. Joseph’s Family Center: Will serve 2,000 families during the holidays. The Center needs frozen turkeys, chickens, hams, fresh fruits and vegetables, canned food items and new toys for children under 12. 7950 Church Street, Suite A, Gilroy; www.stjosephsgilroy.org
St. Vincent de Paul of Santa Clara County: This non-profit helps needy people with rent, utilities, clothing, food, and healthcare. Monetary donations are always appreciated, especially during the holiday season. The organization also accepts auto donations. Learn more at www.svdp.org.
Salvation Army Silicon Valley: Join the Angel Tree Program and help with grocery assistance. Donate gifts for children 0-12, seniors, and the homeless. Needed items include toys, bikes and sports equipment, games, gift cards for pre-teens, hoodies, socks and underwear, hats and gloves, jackets, blankets and sleeping bags. Bring donations to 359 N. Fourth St., San Jose between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (408) 282-1165; salvationarmysiliconvalley.org.
Saratoga Lions Club: This organization provides services to blind and sight-impaired adults and children. Used eyeglasses can be donated this season from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 21 and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Saratoga Post Office, 19630 Allendale Ave., Saratoga. To donate or volunteer, call 408-226-9494.
San Jose Jazz Progressions: Operating in San José’s most gang-impacted neighborhoods, Progressions provides music education along with homework assistance, violence prevention, and nutritional support to more than 1,000 low-income students. Please help — donate an instrument in good condition or make a financial contribution today; sanjosejazz.org/progressions
San Jose Mercury News Wish Book: The Wish Book is an annual project of The Mercury News that invites readers to help their neighbors. Read stories about various needs and make a donation at wishbook.mercurynews.com.
City of Saratoga: The city’s annual food and toy drive, which runs through Dec. 19, helps needy families during the holidays. Donate nonperishable food at the Joan Pisani Community Center, 19655 Allendale Ave., and Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Saratoga City Manager’s Office, 13777 Fruitvale Ave. Learn more at www.saratoga.ca.us.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties: One of the nation’s largest food banks, Second Harvest provides food to more than 250,000 people each month in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Cash donations — $50 provides the equivalent of 100 nutritious meals — and frozen turkeys, frozen chickens and non-perishable food can be dropped off at 750 Curtner Ave., San Jose, 4001 N. First St., San Jose, or 1051 Bing St., San Carlos. For a drop-off schedule or to donate, go to SHFB.org.
Shop with a Cop Foundation Silicon Valley: This group hosts 150 under-served children, many from traumatic home situations, on a holiday shopping spree with Bay Area police officers. Learn more at www.shopwithacopsv.org.
The Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SVEF): This nonprofit resource and advocate for Silicon Valley students and educators work to close the achievement gap. Find out how to help at www.svefoundation.org.
SJB Child Development Centers: This organization provides services for low-income families with children and babies in Santa Clara County. School supplies, books and educational games are always welcome. Learn more at sjbcdc.org.
SOMOS Mayfair: SOMOS’ unique model to train, support, and coach residents to take ownership of their neighborhood has catalyzed significant gains in community development, educational success, and economic opportunity. This holiday season, you can join our movement by investing in our work; www.somosmayfair.org
Sunday Friends: Empowers low-income families to graduate from poverty into opportunity with a unique model of Learning, Earning, and Serving. Cash donations and gifts of new toys and gift cards will help transform lives. www.SundayFriends.org
Sunnyvale Community Services: Toys! Toys! Toys! We need new, unwrapped toys for 2,000 children ages 0-18 years to fill the shelves of the Community Holiday Center, serving low-income families in Sunnyvale. No time to shop? Make a financial donation at www.svcommunityservices.org. 725 Kifer Road, Sunnyvale; (408) 738-4321.
Unity Care’s Santa’s Helpers Donation Drive: This group, which focuses on finding safe, stable housing for underserved and foster youth, is seeking toys and gifts for children. Find out how to help, by hosting a toy drive or making a donation, at www.unitycare.org.
West Valley Community Services: This holiday season, this group’s Gift of Hope program will provide more than 300 homeless and low-income families with items they need, including jackets, blankets, pillows and toys. Find out how you can help at www.wvcommunityservices.org.
Yu-Ai Kai: Seeking donations of gift cards, packaged batteries, individually-wrapped toilet paper/paper towel rolls, dish soap, Kleenex, toothpaste/brushes, sanitary wipes, Brita water filters. Donations accepted at 588 N. Fourth Street, San Jose, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays; yuaikai.org
YWCA Silicon Valley: Provides critical resources including crisis support, clinical therapy, housing and childcare assistance to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Educational programs equip underserved populations with technology skills and STEM mentorship opportunities; ywca-sv.org.
PENINSULA
Acknowledge Alliance: Students face complex challenges that impact their ability to focus on learning. Many live in poverty, cope with depression, battle immigration issues. With our resilience-building tools and trauma-informed services, we are not only reaching students but also supporting educators; www.acknowledgealliance.org
Arbor Bay School: Holding a One Warm Coat drive between November 26 to December 12. Coats can be dropped off at the school, 1017 Cedar St., San Carlos; www.arborbayschool.org.
Art in Action: Empowers children through an arts education by providing classroom lessons that develop creativity, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving skills through hands-on learning with art. Donations ensure that all students have access to art, especially those in Title I and underserved schools; www.artinaction.org/donate/.
Christmas Bureau of Palo Alto: This nonprofit organization provides monetary assistance to more than 2,700 low-income individuals comprised of low-income families, seniors, and adults. Learn more at www.christmasbureauofpaloalto.org.
Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos: This agency is seeking gift cards (Target, Walmart, Amazon) and holiday donations. Learn how you can help at www.csacares.org.
Daly City Partnership: Gift of cash or checks will support mental health program for families with children who have experienced trauma, and scholarships for after-school enrichment classes. Donations of gift cards (Target, Safeway), new toys, and new or gently used clothing and small home goods will be given directly to families in need, seniors on fixed incomes, and the homeless; www.dcpartnership.org.
Dragon Productions Theatre Company: Seeking funding for six plays, developmental workshops of new plays by local artists, and community building programs to turn the Dragon Theatre into the Peninsula’s premiere community performing arts venue; www.dragonproductions.net.
Ecumenical Hunger Program: Donate cash, gift cards, turkeys, hams and chickens for underprivileged families in East Palo Alto, Palo Alto and Menlo Park. Learn more at www.ehpcares.org.
Fit Kids: Holiday fitness equipment drive! Please support Fit Kids by donating the equipment we use in our free fitness programs for kids; www.fitkids.org.
Friends of Huddart & Wunderlich Parks: Volunteer naturalists lead hikes for children to learn about nature, science and the joy of being in the outdoors. 52 percent of participants live in poverty. With your support, we can provide free hikes and buses for low-income schools; www.huddartwunderlichfriends.org.
Gatepath: Empowers children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their full potential. Gifts will help children meet developmental milestones like walking or talking and help adults secure their first jobs; www.Gatepath.org/Donate.
Geek Club Books: A volunteer-run autism awareness non-profit committed to creating a world where autistic individuals are fully accepted, valued and have a voice. Monetary donations fund the work of our autistic writers, filmmakers, comic artists, and speakers; geekclubbooks.com.
Health Connected: Provides adolescent sexual health education to almost 20,000 students, parents, and teachers each year across California. Help empower young people to make thoughtful choices about their relationships and sexual health throughout their lives by making a contribution today; www.health-connected.org.
Help a Mother Out: Works to improve baby and family well being by increasing access to diapers for families in need. Donations will help our diaper bank reach our milestone goal of distributing 10 million diapers by March 2019; www.helpamotherout.org.
Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley (HFSV): Dedicated to improving the quality of life of Latinos in the Silicon Valley region. Your donation supports juniors and seniors in college majoring in STEM, college readiness programs for parents and students, and leadership development classes; www.hfsv.org.
Jewish Coalition for Literacy: Volunteer reading tutors are the backbone of our organization. We provide structured training and then place our tutors one-on-one or with small groups of children in K-3 for read-aloud sessions. To donate or volunteer, call (415) 977-7439 or visit www.jclread.org.
JobTrain, Inc: Help support low-income students in our career training programs with transportation passes, work uniforms, textbooks, and emergency childcare. These resources make it possible for our students to gain valuable job training and life skills; www.jobtrainworks.org.
Justice At Last: Provides free legal services and representation to survivors of human trafficking so that they can seek justice on their terms; www.justiceatlast.org.
Kainos Home & Training Center: Serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Kainos’ Community-based program. This provides the opportunity for individuals to increase their physical and mental health; enhancing physical activity, stress management, and nutritional education; www.kainosusa.org.
Menlo Spark: Their mission is to reduce carbon emissions to zero in Menlo Park by 2025. To volunteer or donate, visit www.menlospark.org.
Midpeninsula Community Media Center: Levels the communications playing field by providing access to media tools and distribution. Using Midpen’s TV studio, production truck and video equipment library, individuals and nonprofits create and control their own stories; Midpenmedia.org.
Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center: Uses community mediation and mediative facilitation to empower people, build relationships, and reduce violence; www.pcrcweb.org.
Peninsula Family Service: Our Holiday Giving Guide is a unique way to give a meaningful gift for the holidays. Give in honor of a loved one, and we’ll send a special card showing how much you care – and the impact of your support; www.peninsulafamilyservice.org/holidayguide.
Peninsula Healthcare Connection: This state-licensed medical clinic provides free health care and mental health services for homeless and low-income individuals in North Santa Clara County. Learn how you can help at peninsulahcc.org.
Peninsula Volunteers, Inc.: Our Meals on Wheels – San Mateo County program increases food security and access to nutritious food, keeping adults ages 65+ well-nourished and healthy. Requesting monetary donations to help remove clients from the waitlist and provide them with meals (about 100 meals per person); www.penvol.org.
Project READ – Redwood City (Redwood City Friends of Literacy): Offers literacy and educational programming that enriches the lives of families most in need. You can help give the gift of reading this year through monetary donations, book donations or volunteering; www.projectreadredwoodcity.org.
Reading Partners Silicon Valley: Empowers students to succeed in reading and life by engaging community volunteers to provide one-on-one literacy tutoring. In each partner school, we transform a space into a reading center where student-tutor pairs work for 45 minutes twice weekly; readingpartners.org/location/silicon-valley/.
Rebuilding Together Peninsula: This organization provides renovation and repair services for the Peninsula’s most vulnerable homeowners — seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities and families with children. Learn how you can help by donating or volunteering at www.rebuildingtogetherpeninsula.org.
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, Mid-Peninsula Center: Delivers intensive small business training classes and workshops, special programs for women, individual consulting, and access to capital and resources throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties; www.rencenter.org.
SafeSpace: Services encompass youth outreach and community engagement that fosters emotionally connected young people and families. Please support our teens who advocate for mental health and wellness in schools. Monetary donations are accepted through PayPal or website; safespace.org.
San Mateo County Parks Foundation: Addresses barriers to visiting parks by funding bus transportation that connects low-income youth to parks; www.SupportParks.org.
San Mateo Police Activities League: Requesting donations of gift cards (Target, Safeway, and Old Navy) to distribute to needy families as part of Santa Cop event in collaboration with the San Mateo Police Department; www.sanmateopal.org.
Science is Elementary: Support exciting hands-on science and engineering for elementary school students. Ninety percent of our students are low-income and 75 percent are students of color; www.scienceiselementary.org.
Sisters of Mercy, Burlingame: Participating in the One Warm Coat Drive, collecting for women, men and children. The drive runs through Jan. 4. Also collecting toys for children who are members of a local San Mateo parish, ranging in age from infant to 16 years old. www.sistersofmercy.org.
The Art of Yoga Project: Delivers ongoing yoga and creative arts programming to incarcerated teen girls in San Mateo County’s Juvenile Justice system. Seeking monetary donations for art and yoga supplies and to compensate specially trained instructors; www.theartofyogaproject.org.
Salvation Army: Needs volunteer bell ringers. By volunteering to bell ring, you are helping your community with food, clothing, bus tokens and PG&E assistance, as well as food boxes and toys during the holiday season; www.registertoring.com.
Tim Griffith Foundation: Provides safe and sober housing for young men recovering from addiction, and holds grief retreats for parents who have lost a child. Tim’s House needs a sectional coach and window blinds. Grocery gift certificates and monetary contributions benefit the retreats; www.timgriffithfoundation.org.
Upward Scholars: Seeking donations for low-income students to go towards books, laptops, bus passes or food vouchers; www.upwardscholars.org.
EAST BAY
Alameda County Community Food Bank: Over the last 30 years, this food bank has provided millions of meals in Alameda County. This holiday season there are several ways for you to donate, including a virtual food drive, an actual food drive, cash donations and more. Visit www.accfb.org
Bay Area Rescue Mission: This organization provides daily meals, job skills, emergency shelter, education, medical assistance and more to families in need. Bring joy this holiday season and drop off turkeys, new toys, slippers and bath sets. Find complete wish list at http://bit.ly/2ODMzDj.
Bay Street: Bay Street Shopping Center is collecting food for Alameda Food Bank, coats for One Warm Coat and toys for Alameda County Firefighters of Emeryville. Bring gently worn outerwear including raincoats, puffer jackets and pea coats of all shapes and sizes to the donation barrels through Dec. 31. The food bank will collect canned goods and non-perishable food items at bins through Dec. 31. Toy collection bins for the Alameda County Firefighters will be available through Dec. 23. Toys must be brand new and unwrapped. Location: 5616 Bay St., Emeryville. www.baystreetemeryville.com
Beats Rhymes and Life: The first Hip Hop Therapy Program in the world, this Oakland group uses the partnership of a clinician, teaching artist and peer mentor to deliver therapeutic services for youth. Find out how you can help at http://brl-inc.org/
Brighter Beginnings: Join this organization’s Adopt-a-Family program to provide seasonal gifts for low-income families. Find Alameda and Contra Costa county centers at http://bit.ly/2qKZz0j.
Christmas for Everyone: This volunteer organization provides Christmas gifts to the working poor, seniors and homebound in Contra Costa County. You can help by donating money, gloves and hats, clothing, gifts for all ages, sleeping bags, rain gear and lap robes. Learn more at www.christmasforeveryone.com.
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano: This agency provides low-income families and individuals with hot meals and food baskets during the holiday season. You can help with a monetary canned food donation, or by volunteering at the food bank. Learn more at https://www.foodbankccs.org/.
Holiday Helpers Warehouse: Make a difference this holiday season by donating a new, unwrapped toy or gift for a child in need. STEM gifts encouraged. http://bit.ly/2B7ka5b.
Monument Crisis Center: This community-based family resource center for Central and East Contra Costa County provides food to 1,100 households in Contra Costa County each month. In addition to seeking monetary donations, they have a holiday food box and toiletry drive. Learn more at https://www.monumentcrisiscenter.org/
Project Open Hand: Provides nutritious meals to seniors and adults with disabilities in Oakland and San Francisco. Financial donations and volunteers are appreciated this holiday season. Learn more at www.openhand.org.
SOS Meals on Wheels, San Leandro: Serves approximately 1,200 meals per day to seniors in Oakland, Hayward, San Leandro, San Lorenzo and Castro Valley. To donate, contact Director Connie Mc Cabe at 510-582-1263, ext. 100.
Salvation Army: This group’s Adopt a Family program provides Christmas toys and meals to families with children. To help, call a program near you or visit https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/. Antioch: 925-778-0303; Concord: 925-676-6180; Pleasant Hill: 925-685-6900; El Sobrante: 510-262-0500; Newark: 510-793-6319.
Share the Spirit: An annual holiday project of the East Bay Times that raises money for nonprofit organizations in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Learn more and donate at www.sharethespiriteastbay.org.
St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County: Your monetary donation provides food, clothing, job training assistance and access to healthcare. Learn more at www.svdp-alameda.org.
Toys for Tots: The Marine Corps’ annual holiday toy drive is seeking donations of money, gift cards and toys. You also can sponsor a toy drive at your school, church or workplace. For a full list of Bay Area drop-off locations visit: toys.4tots.us.
Tri-City Free Breakfast Program: This all-volunteer program provides more than 120 hot, nutritious breakfasts three mornings a week to hungry, at or near poverty level, homeless, working poor, and senior citizens. Volunteers are needed as dining room servers, dish dryers, and food preparers. Donations of breakfast items such as dry cereal, oatmeal, large cans of fruit, or fresh fruit in season, eggs, milk, orange juice, meat and monetary donations are also needed on an on-going basis. Learn more at https://sites.google.com/site/ tricitybreakfast/home or rich.dare2dream@sbcglobal.net
Urban Farmers: This community-based, all-volunteer project aims at tackling a portion of the hunger problem by helping people share their excess backyard fruit with those in need, either by helping to harvest backyard trees or providing maps to the nearest local food relief agency so tree owners can harvest and share their fruit. theurbanfarmers.org
