Normally SCCS is known for giving out turkeys and holiday packages for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but the need was so great this past season that they had to forgo that tradition to focus primarily on getting everyone the basic essentials.“ It was really a heartbreaker year for us to tell families we didn’ t have a turkey. It’ s the first time that I can remember where we’ ve had to do that,” Martin said. And that was with the increased awareness and donations inspired by the holidays and the government shutdown. Come January, Martin said you can almost hear the brakes being slammed in terms of support.
https:// www. sccommunityservices. org / ways-to-give
The unfortunate truth is that the need for food is a yearround struggle under normal circumstances, let alone during unprecedented hardships like what America is currently enduring.“ The lines aren’ t going to stop in January, because not only do families have to catch up after the holidays, but the utilities around this time are enormous, and transportation costs for those who commute build up because the gas prices are so volatile. And if you’ re in the agricultural industry, many can’ t work in inclement weather. There’ s just so many factors that make winter really hard,” Martin explained.
It ' s a delicate balance advocating for continued support for SCCS, while also understanding that everyone is trying their best to keep themselves afloat. Martin knows that people get donation fatigue, especially after the holidays. But she also knows that the people of South County have big hearts, and she encourages everyone to keep their community in mind throughout the coming year.“ I always try to think about different holidays. Like if you have a birthday in the summer, wouldn’ t it be fun to support your neighbors with a food drive instead of gifts? Or instead of Valentine’ s Day sweethearts, it could be a Love Your Neighbor theme. There’ s many ways to make an event fun and raise awareness that we’ re here to support our community,” she said.
Ideally, Martin would love to see government funding for food support, whether county or federal, return to the forefront. She thinks that with enough awareness and making our voices heard, we could get a change from the top down. One way to help with this is to reach out to your congress persons about its importance.
If you would like to take a more hands-on approach, SCCS accepts donations at 795 Church St., Gilroy, Monday through Friday from 8am to 2pm. Anyone can drop by with unopened, unprepared food items or fresh produce from their gardens. There’ s no need to call ahead. For monetary donations, SCCS accepts checks or you can visit sccommunityservices. org.
With so much overwhelming suffering and need in the world, it can feel like one person can’ t possibly make a difference. But places like South County, which has kept its small town feel despite how much it ' s grown and changed, demonstrate that there is a special kind of strength in helping each other.“ It takes a village to raise a village, so it takes everybody doing their part and building on everyone. Without you, we’ re missing a link,” Martin said.
gmhtoday. com Gilroy • Morgan Hill TODAY Magazine: Go. Make history... WINTER 2026 17