Photograph by George Sakkestad
Volunteers at St. Thomas Episcopal Church distribute free, hot lunches through the church's "Our Daily Bread" program. The church plans to continue the program through year's end.
By LESTER CHANG
Sunnyvale Community Services and St. Thomas Episcopal Church have provided a one-two punch to help make the holiday season happier for hundreds of needy Santa Clara Valley families.
From Dec. 9-19, SCS handed out tons of packaged food, cereal, fruits and toys from the Washington Park Recreation Center.
For the rest of the month, SCS did the same from its administrative office at 810 West McKinley St.
For the past two weeks, St. Thomas distributed free, hot lunches through its "Our Daily Bread" program on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. The church, located at 231 Sunset Ave., plans to continue the program through year's end.
SCS and the church are among only a handful of organizations in Sunnyvale that have provided such services for the poor during the holidays.
Through emergency services, SCS hopes to help keep low-income families from going hungry or homeless. Such services include medical and financial help to the elderly and information and referral services.
With the help of 100 volunteers, the church runs its program throughout the year, but the undertaking in December takes on special meaning for all involved, volunteers say.
"It is the whole idea of giving at this time of year," said Ruth Paul, a volunteer for nine years. "The only time I don't come to this place is when I am sick and when I travel."
The program started with nine diners in 1983. Today, the church serves 750 meals each week.
And all who come are welcomed.
"We don't screen the people who need help," said Cary Orr-Kissner, a volunteer for six years. "And this isn't a soup-line kitchen. When they come in, they sit down and we serve them. We preserve their dignity this way."
John Slavins, an unemployed electronic technician and Vietnam veteran, looks forward to the meals.
"The hotel where I live took out the kitchen a year ago, and I basically have to look for something to eat the rest of the day," he said.
The food comes from the Second Harvest Food Bank in San Jose and is donated by businesses in Sunnyvale and Mountain View. The U.S. Department of Agriculture surplus commodities program also contributes.
More than 5,000 people were served in SCS's program last year. The organization expects to serve even more in 1997.
The recipients get a two-week supply of food, as well as toys for their children.
The offering can make or break Christmas for the poor in Sunnyvale, said SCS Executive Director Nancy Tivol.
"Because schools are closed for two weeks at this time, children won't be getting school breakfasts or lunches, and some parents won't be getting paychecks because their companies close at this time of the year," Tivol said. "This is where the food will help."
Jean Louis, a single parent with two children, said her family's Christmas wouldn't be the same without the program.
She left the center with a shopping cart crammed with boxes of cereal, bread, oranges, cans of soup and at least one bag of sugar. On top of the heap was a game and doll for her children.
Those who qualify for the program must meet income requirements, show they are Sunnyvale residents and provide information on the number of people in their household.
The toys, all new, are donated by schools, community organizations and corporations in the valley.
Nearly 500 volunteers help out in the Christmas program, which has grown under the direction of Sue Barbieri, coordinator of the Christmas center for five years. SCS will continue to accept donations until the end of the year.
Those wanting to help may contact SCS at 738-4321, or the St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 736-4108.
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, December 25, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.