Gifts to the Almanac’s Holiday Fund help the Ecumenical Hunger Program and nine other charities. See the coupon in the print edition for information on how to donate.
EHP looking for a new director as Nevida Butler, its inspiration for 25 years, heads for Texas
By Marion Softky
Thousands of needy people east of Bayshore will have a brighter holiday thanks to Ecumenical Hunger Program, which will provide more than 1,000 families with Christmas baskets. Their children will enjoy parties, gifts, and visits with Santa, in the little “Sunset House,” fixed up and donated to EHP by Sunset magazine in 2002.
But EHP is facing a major transition: Nevida Butler, who built the organization from a small food closet to a vibrant center for community giving, is moving to Texas in January. Her assistant, Maleah Choi, has already moved to Texas, leaving both top jobs vacant.
“We expected the transition to be difficult, and it is,” says Judy Kincaid, chair of the EHP board. “A lot of knowledge is missing.”
The main problems are: maintaining funding for current programs, as well as expanded support programs for women, children, and maybe men; and developing new leadership following Ms. Butler’s retirement in April and Ms. Choi’s departure.
Ms. Kincaid also cites “a lot of positives.” Lesia Preston, Ms. Butler’s daughter and an EHP veteran for 26 years, has taken over as interim executive director. And the dedicated staff and “incredible volunteers” are pitching in. “There must be someone out there looking out for us,” Ms. Kincaid says.
Ms. Butler has remained as a consultant, as has Ms. Choi from Texas, easing the transition. Ms. Butler has reactivated the Women’s Support Group, and remains very much a part of the organization. She leads tours of the EHP campus, and will participate in Christmas festivities. “My heart is still here,” she says.
The board expects to appoint a new executive director early next year, Ms. Kincaid said.
A tour of the EHP campus with Ms. Preston barely hints at the range of activities EHP is still conducting.
The Sunset House is used for children’s crafts and activities, support groups, and parties. Behind the offices are neat raised beds of a vegetable garden cultivated by a volunteer. Another small house is available free to community organizations, such as the Lions and Neighborhood Watch.
In a large pantry with walk-in refrigerators, a pair of volunteers is loading boxes of food. About 250 boxes loaded with everything from tuna and rice to meat go out to needy families every month, Ms. Preston says. Second Harvest Food Bank puts on a food giveaway twice a month in the parking lot, one for fresh produce, and one for families.
A warehouse across the parking lot holds clothes, bedding, furniture, mattresses, and large and small appliances that have been donated. These are available to give away by appointment, Ms. Preston says. “People get on a waiting list. We call them as soon as items come in.”
The EHP fall newsletter, “ehp cares,” gives an idea of the scope of the organization. In 2006, EHP distributed 5,547 food boxes, served 4,842 hot meals, received 21,283 visits to the clothes closet, gave away 2,246 items of furniture, had 2,323 visits to its computer and technology center, logged 14,041 volunteer hours, and received about $1.1 million in in-kind donations. In all, it served 15,825 people.
The need for help is growing, Ms. Preston says. “Our numbers are increasing. We’re seeing more single mothers with children, more grandmothers raising children.”
EHP relies heavily on volunteers and community donations, especially more than 50 churches, synagogues and religious organizations that funnel resources and energy into its programs.
“We’re trying to look at the health of the whole family,” says Ms. Kincaid.
Wishes
“Our most important need is money,” says Ms. Preston. “Getting the money so we can continue serving people in need.”EHP also welcomes many kinds of donations, ranging from hams and clothes to toys, appliances and furniture, even sofas and mattresses, if they are clean and in good condition. It will pick up major items, and sometimes clothes, Ms. Preston says.
Everyone at EHP stresses they need gifts for teenagers: watches, wallets, anything electronic, sports apparel, extra long T-shirts, or gift cards at popular stores. “Everyone likes to give to little kids,” Ms. Preston says. “Teenagers get left out. We want to let them know they’re important too.”
Ms. Kincaid concludes, “Please continue to be there for us as we intend to be there for the community.”
Information: Ecumenical Hunger Program is located at 2411 Pulgas Ave. in East Palo Alto. It can be reached at 323-7781; or online at www.ehpcares.org.
