Gilroy
– On a day of giving thanks, hundreds of local needy families
will sit down to a yearly tradition tomorrow, made possible by
generous Gilroy residents.
The Lord’s Table is preparing its annual Thanksgiving Day feast
that will feed as many as 300 hungry people, from noon to
2:30pm.
By Lori Stuenkel
Gilroy – On a day of giving thanks, hundreds of local needy families will sit down to a yearly tradition tomorrow, made possible by generous Gilroy residents.
The Lord’s Table is preparing its annual Thanksgiving Day feast that will feed as many as 300 hungry people, from noon to 2:30pm.
Ray Alpizar, 34, will probably be there to partake of turkey with all the trimmings, salad, bread, and, of course, dessert. He already got a preview of the traditional dinner at the Salvation Army’s daily hot lunch Tuesday, eating turkey, cranberries, and mashed potatoes.
“Everything was good,” said the sometimes-employed construction worker.
Alpizar said he’s a fairly frequent customer at the Salvation Army – which serves hot dinners on Mondays and Wednesdays, in addition to the lunches – and The Lord’s Table, run by St. Joseph’s Family Center – which serves dinners on Sundays and Thursdays.
Each holiday season, the community is bombarded with pleas for donations of food, toys, personal necessities, and time. Both Gilroy non-profits collected all the makings of a complete Thanksgiving meal to hand out to hundreds of families.
This year’s Thanksgiving donations prove that this city’s residents continue to respond to the pleas for giving, though still more is needed, with the next major holiday just around the corner.
Thanks in part to the “Turkey Challenge” started by Saint Louise Regional Hospital, St. Joseph’s Family Center is stocked with enough food, supplies and volunteers to help needy families in Gilroy give thanks this week, said Executive Director David Cox. The hospital last week challenged Gilroy businesses to donate $1,000 to holiday food drives through the Christmas holiday, and The Gilroy Dispatch donated 56 turkeys to the cause. Coldwell Banker and Century 21 Premier of Gilroy also rose to the challenge, donating loads of the big birds.
“We are very thankful for the graciousness of the community, and some local businesses, including The Dispatch and Saint Louise Regional Hospital,” Cox said.
Tomorrow’s holiday feast at The Lord’s Table is expected to draw more people than last year’s, Cox said.
On Monday and Tuesday, The Lord’s Table handed out more than 500 meal boxes to needy families. Last Friday, the Salvation Army handed out more than 260 of its own, said Christine Flautt, chair of the advisory board.
But the Salvation Army fell about 50 turkeys short of its goal, said Major Carlos Gonzzatti, after buying about 40 birds on its own.
“I think we’ll be OK for turkeys at Christmas time,” he said, because donations are on the rise.
From Toys for Tots to cards and parcels for the country’s military overseas, there is no shortage of giving opportunities this holiday season. In a few more days, Cox says he’ll begin to sound “like a broken record” in asking for more holiday donations for Christmas celebrations.
More volunteers, food, toys, and other items are needed to provide nearly 800 families with holiday meals, and young children with holiday gifts. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off through the month, while fresh produce should be donated closer to the box distribution days.
The Salvation Army and St. Joseph’s need, among other items: Turkeys, canned ham, canned yams, canned vegetables, stuffing mix, potatoes, rolls and/or bread, cooking oil, chicken broth, sugar, olives, flour, celery, onions, canned relishes, dessert makings like canned pumpkin mix and other ingredients, and aluminum pans for baking. Volunteers are also needed to pack the food boxes.
St. Joseph’s is collecting new toys for children younger than 10, while the Salvation Army is distributing food and toy barrels throughout South County.
Businesses are still being asked to rise to the Turkey Challenge and donate $1,000 to the food banks.
“If people could step up and keep on giving like they’re giving, it’s just heartwarming,” said Vivian Smith, spokeswoman for Saint Louise.
The hospital will partner with KSBW Channel 8 in the annual Share Your Holidays food, clothes and toy drive to benefit the Salvation Army on Friday, Dec. 10, at Nob Hill Foods on First Street.
Starting this Friday, the holiday bell-ringers will set up around town, at Nob Hill, Long’s Drugs, Safeway, and Wal-Mart. Flautt said she is a bit nervous that Target stores are no longer allowing the bell-ringers, because those sites traditionally brought in the most donations. Volunteer bell-ringers are needed for either two-hour or full-day shifts, she said.
Gilroy families and businesses also can help those less fortunate by adopting a family and making its Christmas wishes come true. Through the Salvation Army’s program, which Flautt started several years ago, sponsors receive the family’s wish list and commit to providing a holiday meal and gifts, including clothes and toys, for the children.
On Christmas Day, The Lord’s Table will once again feed hundreds, with the meal put on and sponsored by Congregation Emeth, the South County’s Jewish congregation.
“In a great show of spirit and unity, they’re kind of giving us ‘the day off’,” Cox said. “We’re very excited about that.”
Fulfilling wishes:
St. Joseph’s Family Center: 7950 Church St., Suite A; Drop-off times: 8am to 11:30am and 1pm to 4pm, 842-6662
Salvation Army: 200 W. Fifth St., 9am to 4pm, 848-5373; To Adopt a Family, call 842-6745
Kettle sites in Gilroy: Nob Hill, Long’s Drugs, Safeway, Wal-Mart
Gilroy food and toy barrels: Garlic City Coffee and Tea, Gilroy Post Office, New Hope Community Church, Nob Hill, Gilroy Presbyterian Church, Bob Lynch Ford, Gilroy Health and Fitness, Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Curves, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Goldsmith Seeds Co., and three Gilroy Unified School District campuses: El Roble, Antonio Del Buono, Luigi Aprea and Rod Kelley elementary schools
The Hilton Garden Inn Gilroy: collecting food for the Second Harvest Food Bank
bring at least 2 food items, get 20 percent off dining bill at the hotel’s Great American Grill: 6070 Monterey St., through Dec. 31, 840-7000
SHARE food cooperative: Provides participants with $30 per month of meat, fresh fruits and vegetables and other grocery items; Donate two hours of volunteer time, plus $15, 848-4090, Madri, or 842-7050, Lily (por Español)
Donate a toy, get a chiropractor’s discount:
Give a toy to the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots program, and Dr. Mike Lacerda and Dr. Martin Davis will award a $120 certificate.
Lacerda Chiropractic, 17295 Monterey Rd., Morgan Hill, 799-3176
Dr. Davis’ Family Choice Chiropractic, 7933-A Wren Ave., 842-5959
The Toy Run: Bring a new, unwrapped toy and join the bike run, sponsored by Victory/Indian Motorcycles. Saturday, Dec. 18, starting at 11am, downtown Gilroy, 848-2262, or www.indiancmc.com
