Holiday Fund: Needs up; money down: a tough year for charities Holiday Fund: Needs up; money down: a tough year for charities (December 24, 2003)

By Marion Softky

Almanac Staff Writer

"It's scary. It's really scary!"

Toni Wallace, executive director of the Family Support Center of the Mid-Peninsula, speaks for many folks working with local charities to provide services to the rising tide of people struggling with homelessness, poverty, illness, hunger, job loss. ...

Ms. Wallace is speaking of the funding cuts being proposed in Sacramento that may filter down from the state, through the county, and threaten services that help the poor and disadvantaged to survive and rebuild their lives.

The Almanac's Holiday Fund has selected 10 of these agencies to receive added funds to multiply donations from our readers. These -- and many more local charities -- are still feeling the pinch of the economic slump.

Needs are up, as the economy throws more people out of work and onto the mercies of local nonprofits. At the same time, donations are down, as government agencies, foundations, and individuals find their resources squeezed.

"Donations are ever more critical," says Bob Rybecki, executive director of Youth and Family Enrichment Services (YFES), which reaches 45,000 county residents each year with services for runaway and homeless youth, and programs in substance abuse, youth development, abuse prevention, and crisis intervention. Like many nonprofits, YFES receives money from a mix of sources, including federal, state and foundation grants, and individual donations.

Job loss has hit many people who never dreamed of being homeless or desperate. "I'm seeing former donors who become clients," says Dave Sandretto, executive director for Second Harvest Food Bank, the principal supplier of food for charities in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. "Their unemployment (benefit) is running out; their savings are dwindling."

Nevida Butler, executive director of Ecumenical Hunger Program in East Palo Alto, is seeing people who have lost jobs they had held for 20 years. They are too old to hire and too young to retire.

Over the last two years, Second Harvest has seen a 70 percent increase in the number of people it has served in San Mateo County. The economy may be improving, Mr. Sandretto says hopefully. While year-end numbers are not yet in, the number of food drives is up.

Still, Second Harvest -- and other charities -- need money throughout the year. Mr. Sandretto points out, "Hunger's not just a holiday thing; it's a year-round need."

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