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Nonprofit agencies did better during giving season of 2006

ByAlicia Upano

Nonprofit agencies are still tallying holiday donations, but see a jump in giving.

The last two years have been difficult for local organizations, as regular donors gave to victims of the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005 and the 2004 tsunami that devastated and killed thousands in Asia.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, for example, was $1.5 million short of its $4 million goal last January and had to make a last-minute appeal to meet its fundraising target. This year, the Willow Glen-based nonprofit agency expects to reach its holiday food and fund drive's goal of $4 million and collect 1.8 million pounds of food. The drive ends Jan. 12.

"We're looking at the numbers, and we're feeling positive," Second Harvest Food Bank spokeswoman Lynn Crocker said.

InnVision also saw a rebound in personal giving, said director of development and communication Autumn Gutierrez. EHC LifeBuilders experienced a similar upswing, said spokeswoman Hilary Barroga, noting that individual gifts were larger than last year.

All the groups said this increase was a welcome change and sorely needed.

Not only do these three organizations serve thousands of people grappling with hunger and homelessness daily, but do so in the face of decreased government funding. In addition, Gutierrez points to the rise in electricity and transportation costs, which increases the financial need for low-income families. In addition, InnVision's family needs increased overall during the current holiday season.

The Adopt-a-Family program grew from 130 to 180 families, and its Holiday Toy Shoppe provided 800 families with children's gifts, up from 496 last year. Likewise, each of EHC LifeBuilders clients--1,300 nightly--received gifts through the Shelter Elves program.

The organizations recognize that without the help of schools, churches and businesses their needs could not be met. Schools and churches held food drives for Second Harvest, and NVIDIA co-founders Jen-Hsun Huang and Chris Malachowsky co-chaired its holiday food drive. InnVision received help from other Silicon Valley corporations, including Cisco Systems, National Semiconductor and eBay.

"These corporations value community service in a breadth of ways, and are building the spirit of philanthropy," Gutierrez said.

These holiday donations are so important because they constitute the bulk of funds raised for the entire year, she added.

"The largest giving time of the year is between Thanksgiving and Christmas," Gutierrez said. "The funding we receive when people are more generous has to carry us throughout the year."

Second Harvest and EHC LifeBuilders do fundraising throughout the year. Based on a hunger analysis conducted by Second Harvest, it is clear year-round efforts are critical. The analysis found 46 percent of people in Santa Clara County cannot afford three meals daily. In order to meet the need, nonprofits must provide 65 million meals annually, in addition to what's already supplied.

InnVision and EHC LifeBuilders are also continuing their fundraising and are still in need of gift certificates and cold weather supplies such as blankets and coats.