Late last year, we launched our annual Holiday Fund charitable campaign for local nonprofits, well aware that we were at the tail end of a year unlike any other and unsure of what to expect when it concluded. Almanac readers have been very generous over the years — since its inception, The Almanac’s fund has given away more than $4 million to Peninsula organizations providing essential services that benefit needy families, children and individuals — but 2020 was marked by economic and personal turmoil from the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March.
But fortunately, readers answered our call for donations at a critical time for these nonprofits, raising $272,000 — including a $100,000 anonymous donation in December — and exceeding the previous year’s total of over $150,000. The money will be divided evenly among 10 nonprofit beneficiaries: LifeMoves, the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula, Ecumenical Hunger Program, Health Connected, Literacy Partners-Menlo Park, Ravenswood Family Health Center, St. Anthony’s Padua Dining Room, StarVista, St. Francis Center and Upward Scholars.
These organizations offer critical programs and support, ranging from emergency housing and food assistance to health care and education services, and they have had to pivot and adapt quickly to coronavirus restrictions to continue their important work. The Boys & Girls Club, for example, set up in-person working spaces for online learning to safely support students with distance learning, while Literacy Partners-Menlo Park transformed its mission in May to be able to support worthy organizations beyond its prior mission of library-based adult and family literacy. And health care providers like Ravenswood Family Health Center had to quickly put in place a swath of new regulations to keep their patients and staff safe, and leverage connections to track down needed personal protective equipment. It has been inspiring to hear how many people have worked tirelessly to meet the needs of Peninsula residents at such a tumultuous time, and to hear stories about how grateful people are to have the help of these nonprofits.
Amid such a dark time, it is uplifting to see the community come together in recognition of a worthy cause like the Holiday Fund. Thank you to our readers for supporting this year’s campaign.