One of these newfound friends is Willow Glen resident Elisa Gonzalez, who has volunteered at the program for 1 1/2 years. The San Jose City College student appreciates the program's emphasis on self-reliance and autonomy.

"It helps develop independence and self-sufficiency, not just in the program, but outside as well." Gonzalez says. It's a great program for children and parents. A way for them to interact through art and other activities.

"I'm happy here because at my house, I only have TV," says program participant Bertha Vargas, while drawing a picture to accompany a thank-you letter. "My kids just watch TV. Or they go to the street, and that's not good for kids--maybe they have an accident. Here, they make pictures, they make food, they make everything. They're inside and they are busy."

While Vargas puts the finishing touches on her letter, her daughter, 12-year-old Maria, cuts out and colors items to post on the holiday bulletin board, an artistic interpretation of Kwanzaa, Chanukah and Christmas. Maria says designing the bulletin boards is one of her favorite activities at Sunday Friends.

During the Sunday programs volunteers and staff organize a cooking project, several art projects and letter writing stations where participants can write personalized thank-you notes to donors. The program also includes an English as a Second Language component for the families. Children bone up their vocabulary with flashcards, while adults gather in conversation circles to practice their speaking skills. Participation in each activity earns tickets, which families can use at the program's treasure chest to purchase household items, clothing and toys.

According to Gonzalez, participants in the program receive much more than a hot meal or new clothes--they gain self-respect and independence by earning the things they need. And through letter writing--one of the program's most fundamental activities--both adults and children develop literacy and English-language skills they need to excel in school and obtain a well-paying job.

Because the program serves a diverse range of people with varying levels of English fluency, Spanish-speaking volunteers like Gonzalez are on hand to help English-learners translate their letters and improve their writing and speaking abilities.

"The kids have improved their reading and writing," Gonzalez says. "And I have also encouraged some of the moms to take English as a Second Language classes, and to start trying to write in English."

But the letter writing also teaches far more than written communication, Sunday Friends founder Janis Baron says.

"The letters not only develop literacy, they develop the participants' identities as writers," Baron says. "Also, the letters help develop manners. The writers feel gratitude, and also feel taken care of. They are part of the community, and in a community there is giving and receiving."

Giving back to the people who donate to Sunday Friends is an integral part of the program, Baron says. The benefactors see the direct impact of their gifts, and the recipients have an opportunity to express their gratitude and share in the joy of giving.

"The program's participants aren't needy victims," Baron says. "It's important the families don't feel like charity cases."

For the holiday season, the volunteers and staff of Sunday Friends have organized a special store where families can purchase gifts for their loved ones. In addition to the regular items, like window cleaner and soap, shoppers can redeem their tickets for new toys and clothes.

Vargas says she appreciates the opportunity to "buy" Christmas gifts for her children.

"This month is good," she says. "They have a have a lot of new toys for kids."

But Vargas is no charity case. She and her daughter Maria have earned extra tickets by taking responsibility for recording the names of people who pick up trash to earn points.

"It's nice to see families take on leadership roles," Reader says. "They expand on their own capabilities."

For information about being a Sunday Friends volunteer or to make a donation, visit www.sundayfriends.org.