Real Estate Articles
WVCS Needs Volunteers, Donations to Food Pantry
West Valley Community Services, Inc. is a private non-profit, community based agency that has been providing direct assistance and referral services to the communities of Cupertino, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Monte Sereno and West San Jose for 37 years. The agency provides basic needs, housing assistance and family support services to needy individuals and families, including information and referrals, food, shelter, affordable housing and financial assistance.
Executive Director Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto told SILVAR members at this morning's Cupertino/Sunnyvale District tour meeting that Santa Clara County is viewed as a wealthy area, but the county has many individuals and families in need. The agency services 6,000 county residents a year. One in 10 children and one in 12 adults in the county are below the poverty line. She indicated the average income of many of the agency's clients is $16,000 a year. Nakano-Matsumoto said a family of four needs an annual income of $77,000 to live in Santa Clara County; a single mother with two children needs an annual income of $65,000. There are 7,000 homeless individuals in the county; and one in 25 people have gone hungry in the past year.
"This is just not acceptable in this wealthy area," Nakano-Matsumoto said.
Volunteers and donations to the agency's food pantries are always needed. Most needed items include diapers, healthy food items that are low in sodium, ethnic food items (many clients are from diverse communities), cleaning supplies, toiletries, and also paper and office supplies to help with office expenses. Seniors and families with children rely most on the WVCS Food Pantry.
Nakano-Matsumoto invited SILVAR members to take part in Taste of Compassion. WVCS is partnering with local restaurants for Taste of Compassion, a monthly fundraising and community outreach event benefiting hunger and homeless services. A different restaurant hosts the event twice each month with a pre-fixed menu. Tickets are $24 with reservations or $26 at the door and 50 percent of the proceeds benefit WVCS. The event will be hosted on Monday, October 25 and Tuesday, October 26 by The Mynt restaurant, 5210 Prospect Road in San Jose. Call (408) 255-8033 ext. 152 or make your reservationonline.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.