Community Corner
'Tis the Season to be Giving—Turkeys
Last-minute food donations are welcome at these local organizations.
Several local organizations dedicated to serving Gilroy's homeless and at-risk population provide year-round services, and with the holidays approaching, they could use an extra hand—or turkey.
If you'd like to lend a hand this holiday season, you can donate food or write a check to any of the three nonprofit organizations listed below.
THE SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army is asking for donations of turkeys and canned goods. Those interested can drop off items Monday through Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Monetary donations can be mailed via check to the Salvation Army, 200 West Fifth Street, Gilroy, CA 95020.
Where: 200 West Fifth Street (at the corner of Church and Fifth streets)
Contact number: 848-5373
ST. JOSEPH'S FAMILY CENTER
Over 90 percent of St. Joseph's financial resources go directly to assisting the hundreds of low-income families and homeless people in Gilroy, according to the organization's website.
Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Vicky Martin, who manages the food bank at St. Joseph’s, said, “We’ve been able to give out a lot of turkeys this week, but our freezer is pretty much depleted. We would love to get frozen turkeys so we can restock for Christmas, and canned goods are welcome any time.”
This week, food items can be dropped off on Monday or Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations are accepted on Wednesday as well, they just need to be dropped off between 10 a.m. to noon because the center will be closing at noon for the holiday.
Monetary donations can also be made online, here. For those who prefer to mail a check, make it out to St. Jospeh’s Family Center, 7950 Church Street, Gilroy, CA 95020.
Where: 7950 Church Street
Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Contact: 842-6662, ext. 26
GILROY COMPASSION CENTER
The compassion center accepts donations throughout the year. Jan Bernstein Chargin, Gilroy Compassion Center chairwoman, said the center can always use non-perishable items that don't require preparation, like cup-a-soup products, single-serving instant soups, instant coffee, teas, hot cocoa mix and granola bars.
Their wish list also includes a wireless router, toilet paper, paper towels and office supplies. Food items and other supplies can be dropped off on Tuesday or Wednesday this week from 9 .a.m to 1 p.m.
Please Note: Although the compassion center’s address is on Monterey, parking lot access is on Welburn Ave., between Monterey and Church streets.
Checks can also me mailed to the compassion center at P.O. Box 233, Gilroy, CA, 95021. Make checks out to the Gilroy Foundation and please write Compassion Center in the memo line.
Where: 8425 Monterey Street
Contact: gilroycompassioncenter@yahoo.com
Do you know of any other local organizations accepting holiday donations? If so, add their information in the comments.
