Stories - Share the Spirit

These East Bay organizations were featured in the latest holiday season drive. Read more about them and learn how you can still help.

Please take a moment to help these East Bay organizations this holiday season. Their dedication and hard work have directly helped those in need in the Bay Area community. Read more about them and how you can help:

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Previous Stories

A look at those we’ve helped throughout the years

Since 1989, Share the Spirit has helped those in need in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and the rest of the Bay Area by publishing their “Stories” — an in-depth account of their hopes and struggles — in the East Bay Times during the holiday season. Readers responded generously with donations that helped these people and the organization involved. Here are some of those Stories from past campaigns:

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2024

Child care isn’t easy. Lincoln Families helps East Bay parents lighten the load

Donations will help Lincoln Families provide emergency assistance to families in need, enabling them to prevent their utilities from being turned off, catch up on back rent, and pay for rental deposits or car repairs where needed. The nonprofit also ...

2024

In this class, your homework is to call a friend or go for a walk

Donations will help the Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) to purchase $200 grocery gift cards for 50 low-income families at risk of child abuse and neglect during the holiday season to use for a special holiday meal, traditional treats for ...

2024

White Pony Express combats East Bay food insecurity

Donations will help White Pony Express expand its 16-school School Pantry Program and begin to reduce its 70-agency waitlist. The program, which currently serves 35,000 children, provides fresh, wholesome, ready-to-eat food at schools where 80% or more of students qualify ...

2024

Nonprofit helps homeless, impoverished East Bay military veterans feel like ‘not just a number’

Donations will support Swords to Plowshares’ Oakland Service Center, which provides direct services for 500 East Bay veterans annually. Funding will help meet 100 veterans’ basic needs by providing emergency housing, food and gas vouchers, hygiene kits, and holiday backpacks. ...

2024

After bouncing between ‘trap houses,’ a family finds a stable place to raise their son

Donations will help Shelter Inc. support the housing needs of 26 individuals in 11 families, including 12 children, for one month of shelter operations costs at its Mountain Valley Family Shelter in Martinez. Goal: $25,000

2024

Meet the Bay Area pet lovers who are battling animal overpopulation

Donations will help Paws In Need to facilitate spay and neuter procedures for 100 dogs or puppies and 125 cats or kittens, for total assistance to 225 animals that would otherwise not receive the proper veterinary care. Goal: $10,000

2024

Meals on Wheels Contra Costa program provides vital connection

Donations will help Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa, Inc. to provide approximately 4,375 nutritious meals to approximately 625 homebound seniors currently enrolled in the program countywide. Goal: $35,000

2024

Turning shelter into homes

Donations will allow Grateful Gatherings to offer full and mini gatherings for 10 households, giving support with moving and transportation expenses and providing families fighting to stay housed with items like new beds, home essentials and furnishings. Goal: $10,000