But instead of going to one baker to feed one mouth, Tivol has to turn to the entire Sunnyvale community to feed more than 4,000 people this holiday season.

"Were seeing more clients this year, and seeing them more often," Tivol said. "And even though we've had more donations than ever before, our shelves are still bare."

Tivol said many families who used to come once every other month to get food and financial support are now coming every month. But lack of work is not the reason for the rise in need. More people in the area are working this year than last year.

According to Tivol, one major reason for this discrepancy is that many people are working in temporary or part-time positions that don't offer benefits or paid time off. But the jobs still demand near full-time hours from the employees. According to the California Budget Project—a nonprofit organization that gathers and distributes state policy information—in the professions that grew, such as hospitality, construction and retail, less than half of the workers have benefits.

Tivol said community groups like the Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church, the Second Harvest Food Bank and local Boy Scout troops donate food to the organization, but even that is not enough, especially around the holidays. To deal with the influx of families she orders a truckload of food at discounted prices from the San Jose Grocery Outlet, but that does not come in until after Thanksgiving.

Most of that food is for the Community Christmas Center run by Sunnyvale Community Services in its warehouse and offices at 725 Kifer Road.

On Dec. 6, the doors open for the holiday season when all client families can sign up for a time to pick up a two-week supply of food, gifts for children and a gift for each household such as kitchen utensils, towels or bedding.

As winter approaches and the year-end holidays roll around, the need is higher than ever in Sunnyvale.

"Try to imagine what a two-week supply of food for 4,000 people looks like," Tivol said.

Much of what is given out comes from the truckload after Thanksgiving. She said she is hoping that by helping clients with food and services now, they will have it easier at the beginning of the year. By providing gifts and food for families when money is short, Tivol said she also hopes to lessen the need for financial aid in January and February because they can save a little during the holidays.

Based on current clients, Tivol expects to serve at least 1,200 families during the holiday season this year, already an increase over last year's 1,157. But she expects even more to sign up before the holidays.

To deal with the demand, Tivol has implemented a program she calls "coordinated giving," where different groups are asked to give one specific item. Sunnyvale School District students have been asked to bring in a box of cereal along with any other items they want to donate. Applied Signal Technologies is providing a "White Christmas," by purchasing sugar and flour, important—but rarely donated—food items.

Even with all the donation programs running in the area, Tivol said need is still high, especially for protein-rich foods like meat and canned goods. She also needs gifts for teenage boys for the Community Christmas Center.

For a full wish list or for more information about the Community Christmas Center or Sunnyvale Community Services, visit www.svcommunityservices.org or call 408.738.4321.