Pitch in to help those in need this holidayseason

The holidays are a wonderful time for sharing in the spirit of the season with family, friends and community. But it is also important to remember that some of our neighbors may be experiencing this time of year quite differently.

Many families in our community work hard to barely make ends meet, which means they may not have funds for gifts, holiday feasts, or even warm clothing and bedding to get through these colder winter days and nights.
There are many opportunities in which to volunteer, both with time and generous donations. Here is a snapshot of some of the opportunities available in our community:

Shelter, Inc. works to prevent and end homelessness for the county’s low-income residents by providing resources that lead to self-sufficiency. The agency create Adopt-A-Family to ensure that families positively experience the holiday season despite their current struggles. Families sign up with their case managers to participate in the program, then other families in the community “adopt” them for the holidays. Donors receive a family profile, gift ideas, name, age, gender, sizes and a few practical gift ideas for each family member. Donors drop off gifts at the main office, wrapped and labeled with family members’ names. Shelter, Inc. also has opportunities for families or groups to cook and serve meals at their family shelter in Martinez. For more information, call 925-335-0698.

The Holiday Helpers Warehouse through VESTIA (Volunteer Emergency Services Team in Action) is a wonderful way to support families in our community. VESTIA provides gifts of warm clothing, toys, books and food to families in need throughout the county through referrals from county social workers. Many of the families are in the process of starting their lives over from the recession, building new careers and establishing financial stability, and they do not have additional resources to provide gifts and new clothing at the holidays. You can donate new and warm clothes for children from infants to age 18, toys or gift and food certificates. For more information, call 925-521-5061 or visit https://vestiainc.org/holiday-helpers-warehouse/.

The Monument Crisis Center is doing a Holiday Toiletry Drive for adults, teens and children. They are accepting gift bags of new shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, body wash, disposable razors and socks through Dec. 18. They ask that you decorate the bag with stickers or festive ribbon and deliver to 1990 Market St., Concord, 9 a.m.-noon and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Tuesday until 6:30 p.m.

It time again for the Food Bank of Contra Costa County and Solano’s annual Counties Care Holiday Food Fight. This is the 16th straight year that employees of Contra Costa and Solano counties compete to raise funds to help achieve the food bank’s goal of working to end hunger. I encourage all Contra Costa residents to support the food bank. To make a donation, visit https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/foodbankccs.

With your help, I am confident that we will truly make a difference to those in need in our community. I’m wishing all of you a very happy holiday season surrounded by those you love. My best wishes for a healthy and safe 2020.

Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to Mitchoff at supervisormitchoff@bos.cccounty.us

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