Despite promises of economic recovery, a record number of families struggling to meet their basic needs turned to Sacred Heart Community Service for special resources this holiday season. After witnessing unprecedented turnout for its Holiday Program Registration in early November, Sacred Heart quickly turned to rally the community to respond. Over 200 companies, schools, congregations, organizations, families, and individuals ran drives to provide our community with food, new toys, blankets, and warm coats. Combined with critical financial support of donors from all walks of life , SHCS was able to prepare and distribute over 4200 Special Thanksgiving Food Boxes.
This past week SHCS prepared and distributed over 3200 Christmas food boxes. On Monday, December 20th SHCS distributed food to more families than on any other day in the organization's 46 year history, 1729 holiday food boxes. Attention turned on Wednesday, December 22nd to SHCS's Toy Box. Despite the fact that parents had appointment times in hand to shop for new toys for their children, the first mom arrived at 7PM on Tuesday night, 13 hours before the doors opened for the most successful toy distribution event in Sacred Heart's history. The parents of over 5100 children had the opportunity to select from nearly 20,000 gifts including toys of every imaginable variety, dolls, baby clothes, games, books, stuffed animals, sporting equipment, and art supplies. Every family had the opportunity to participate in a raffle that distributed nearly 800 bicycles.
Perhaps more impressive was the incredible response from volunteers, who gave generously of their time to help on these holiday registration, food box preparation, toy sorting, and food and toy distribution days. All told, the hard work of over 2000 volunteers made this record year possible. The work doesn't end on January 2nd. The heartbreaking needs continue throughout the year, but SHCS is committed to getting the community involved to bring stability, opportunity, and hope to those struggling under the weight of poverty in Silicon Valley.
Thank you for being part of it.
