Giving for the holidays
Area food banks and social service agencies are collecting donations to help the needy through the Christmas and New Year's holidays. For a complete list, see www.mercurynews.com/extra. accepting unwrapped gifts for people 24 and younger or $25 gift cards to Target, Old Navy or Walmart. Gifts may be delivered before Dec. 18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1400 Parkmoor Ave., Suite 115, San Jose. To get involved, call 408-510-3480 or go to www.unitycare.org. The Center for Employment Training is a nonprofit job training school that provides services to low-income individuals, including farmworkers, homeless youth, exoffenders and single parents. CET is accepting donations to its lunch program to help students who are enrolled in its job training program. Gift cards for groceries are also welcomed. CET is at 701 Vine St., San Jose. 408-5345360, www.cetweb.org. A Cup of Cold Water is collecting gift cards for groceries for the homeless in any amount. Donations can be mailed to A Cup of Cold Water, c/o AACSA, 259 N. Capitol Ave., Suite B-221, San Jose, Calif., 95127. Contact Yvette Scott at acupofcoldwater@sbcglobal.net or call 408839-3648. Please include information in terms of a tax deduction if necessary. Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley helps empower people facing challenges to have a better life. We assist more than 3,000 low-income people in need and accept supermarket, gas and department store gift cards, toys and cash donations year-round. New unwrapped toys, gift cards, unexpired nonperishable food and cash donations are needed throughout the winter holidays to bring light and warmth to appreciative families and seniors. Donations can be dropped off at the offices from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. MondaysThursdays and 8:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. Fridays at 14855 Oka Road, Suite 202, Los Gatos. Monetary donations can be made online at www. jfssv.org. 408-556-0600. New this year: Donate toys and gifts online through our Target registry: http://tinyurl. com/JFS-SV-2015-EAF. HomeFirst needs financial support this winter to purchase food, blankets and other supplies for up to 500 people at our three Cold Weather Shelters. Donate online at www.homefirstscc.org/donate. We also accept donations of new or gently used twin blankets and towels, new socks and underwear. Contact Renee Travers, 408-539-2143 or rtravers@homefirstscc.org.