minimizes the barriers for accessing food . If a family lives someplace else , like Sunnyvale , but works in the South County , St . Joseph ’ s is happy to serve them . Thanks to their partnerships with food recovery agencies like Second Harvest Food Bank , many families have said that the quality and quantity of what they ’ re receiving is unlike anything they ’ ve seen in other communities .
Despite their best efforts , St . Joseph ’ s still hasn ’ t been able to meet the need at the level that they want . In years past , they used to have enough funds to also provide gift cards , presents , and Christmas trees during the holidays . Now all of their resources are solely devoted towards food . Other food banks are feeling similar strains , with some of St . Joseph ’ s partners unable to donate their usual chickens and turkeys for this year ’ s holiday season . “ It ’ s just a testament to how everyone is feeling this everywhere ,” Cox said .
With so many structural problems , from the housing crisis to the exponential growth of homelessness , Cox feels that somehow the importance of food got buried in the list of priorities . “ We used to get funding from our local government to do food programs . The county used to provide grants to our agency so we could provide services . Those are long gone . It seems like even though food is such a critical component to our health and wellbeing , it ’ s just not being spoken about ,” Cox said .
Cox assures that everything isn ’ t all doom and gloom . “ We would be a lot worse off if we didn ’ t have the local community support and our volunteers and our dedicated staff that refuse to quit ,” he said . The last thing St . Joseph ’ s wants is to have to start turning away families , so they have been looking to strengthen their partnerships and amplify their food reserves , but the unfortunate byproduct of that is additional expenses . Cox knows that it doesn ’ t incite a warm , fuzzy feeling , but he would love to see more consistent giving of unrestricted funds throughout the year , not just on holidays .
Through triple digit heat or frigid rain storms , St . Joseph ’ s will continue to show their love for their community the best way they know how : food . They hope you will keep their cause in your hearts this holiday season and beyond .
Ways to help :
Food Pantry – ( Monday – Friday ) 8:00am-2:30pm Assist with the preparing of food items for distribution ; assist with the loading of food boxes / bags into client vehicles , etc .
Special Events – Seasonal assistance with holiday programs ( Thanksgiving and Christmas ); special fundraising events ( St . Patrick ’ s Dinner , golf tournament , vineyard concerts etc .)
To volunteer : complete and return the SJFC Volunteer Application to : info @ stjosephsgilroy . org / Fax : 408.842.5842
Address : 7950 Church St , Suite A Office – 408.842.6662
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