Stories - Share the Spirit

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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2022

Affordable meal delivery service is a lifeline for seniors, and struggling to meet demand

Donations to SOS Meals on Wheels will help pay for special meals for Thanksgiving, Christmas and other cultural holiday celebrations, and also help the nonprofit continue to connect with members of their community and help the seniors keep connected.

2022

Contra Costa County nonprofit offers immigrants hope through day labor, small business programs

Donations will help Monument Impact boost its day labor program and Emerging Business Support Program that it started last year.

2022

Saint Vincent’s Day Home is a lifeline for struggling East Bay parents

Donations will allow Saint Vincent’s to give the families of 200 children a $50 gift card, to augment donated toys and books, to help families buy winter clothes, food, or other necessities during the holidays.

2022

Legal aid nonprofit firm helps seniors in big ways

Donations will help Legal Assistance for Seniors provide individual legal services and community education programs to 500 people.

2021

How four working mothers scrambled to support East Bay farm workers

Ximena Perez remembers the day she was packing corn in a sweltering, east Contra Costa County packaging plant. The lamination process to seal the bags of grain made the warehouse ...

2021

No landlord would offer this veteran housing – Swords to Plowshares stepped in

Donations will help Swords to Plowshares’ San Francisco and Oakland Service Centers provide emergency housing, food, counseling, housing placement, rental assistance, employment and training services, and legal assistance to Bay Area veterans.

2021

Open Heart Kitchen provides meals, and friendly company

Donations will help fund Open Heart Kitchen’s Hot Meal Program that provides meals to homeless, senior citizens on a fixed income, and mostly the working poor.

2021

Beyond Emancipation helps young people aging out of foster care

Donations will help Beyond Emancipation provide over 100 young adults to receive meals, gift cards, and other opportunities for the holidays.

2021

Experience in building trades strengthens East Bay women’s confidence

Donations will help Rising Sun Center for Opportunity celebrate Women Building the Bay participants with a Thanksgiving meal. Funds will also help give personal care kits for COVID-19 safety care, child care and toiletries to those in need.

2021

How one East Bay substance use treatment program is leading ‘recovery through the arts’

Donations will help Options Recovery Services fund their “Call for the Arts Campaign” a recovery program using drawings, paintings, music and other arts.

2021

Rainbow Community Center is a lifeline for East Bay LGBTQI+ youth seeking acceptance for who they are

Donations will help Rainbow Community Center’s Homeless Transitional Youth Program (HTYP) provide assistance to LGBTQ+ youth & young adults from age 12 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness

2021

Livermore’s Goodness Village a ‘tiny home’ paradise for unhoused people

Donations will help Goodness Village support 56 nonprofit agencies in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Goodness Village will use its grant to fund staff who are available to support the residents 24 hours a day and help alleviate crisis situations.