A new White House initiative aims to end hunger in the U.S. by 2030, using a holistic approach to address hunger and bolster economic security for families across the nation. Ending hunger starts with housing. In the Bay Area, the high cost of housing is the primary reason people cannot afford to feed their families.…
Summer is here, and children are smiling as they breathe in the fresh air and look forward to days full of laughter with friends. But for many Sunnyvale children, summer is also a time of anxiety. Here in Silicon Valley, one in four children are at risk of hunger. They depend on school meal programs…
At five in the morning, we set out. In teams of two or three, we comb abandoned buildings, creek beds, and parks. Quiet tucked-away areas, dumpsters, and parking lots. After a while, we’ll spot it: a blue tarp, a full shopping cart, or a car filled with belongings. One of us marks it down and…
When we moved into our current building in 2003, we never imagined we’d run out of space. Since that time, we have increased our food distribution days from four per month to 22, with an average of 905 families coming every Produce Monday. The generosity of our supporters, including 2,500 volunteers, makes it happen, but…
Over the past several weeks, the COVID-19 crisis has impacted the everyday lives of the people we serve, our volunteers, and our community. With mandated actions like “shelter in place” and “social distancing,” we’ve cancelled plans for our 50th Anniversary event and totally redesigned all of our services. For the health and safety of our…
In our role as the community’s safety net, we’ve received a growing number of calls from residents, businesses, and Public Safety about RV and car encampments in Sunnyvale, asking SCS to reach out to people living in their vehicles and connect them to our services. Our case workers and partners at Downtown Streets Team knock…
Last year SCS helped 8,300 individuals with safety net services, including food to stay healthy, and financial support to stay housed or gain housing after being homeless. Every year we see a deepening need as the income gap widens in Silicon Valley. This year we are making an effort to add improvements to our support…
Recently, the nation held its collective breath as hurricanes and earthquakes wreaked havoc, destroying lives and neighborhoods, and leaving thousands homeless. Natural disasters around the country and the world serve as a reminder of how one event can drastically change lives. At Sunnyvale Community Services, we prepare for emergencies so we can help others when…
We Californians love our cars, but few of us would want to sleep in our vehicles. Sadly, that is happening more frequently for many Sunnyvale residents. Seniors, couples, and families with children who are evicted from their homes want to stay near the schools and jobs and the neighborhoods they know—so they park their cars…
In many Sunnyvale classrooms, stomachs are grumbling. Last spring, local teachers and principals let us know that students were coming to school hungry on Monday mornings. Working families were making difficult choices as they juggled bills to pay, and food often ran out on the weekends. Sunnyvale Community Services worked with school staff and parents…