Move upsets holiday plans for Ecumenical Hunger Program Move upsets holiday plans for Ecumenical Hunger Program (December 10, 2003)

Never plan to move just before the holidays -- especially if you're a charity that distributes large quantities of food and basics to people in need.

This lesson is still hitting Ecumenical Hunger Program, a major charity that helps thousands east of Bayshore with everything from clothes and food to Christmas baskets.

For weeks after moving around the corner in East Palo Alto, EHP was without phones, without new refrigerators, even without a dumpster.

"It's been a nightmare, says Nevida Butler, executive director. "Anything that can go wrong has gone wrong."

By last week, EHP was up to seven working phones; normally 11 phones are backed up at this season. Computers were up, but still no DSL and no voice mail; turkeys and hams were down, reports Assistant Director Maleah Choi. And donation checks are dribbling in, thanks to slow forwarding from the previous address.

"We hope there are donors out there who are trying to find us," Ms. Butler says. "Because the people in need know where we are. I can't hide from them."

For anyone who is interested, EHP is now welcoming seekers and donors at 2411 Pulgas Avenue in East Palo Alto, 323-7781, or www.ecumenicalhunger.org.

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