STEAC STORIES

Volunteers are needed to deliver food and gifts for STEAC’s annual Holiday Program, as well as help interview potential recipients. Those interested can sign up on the website. Courtesy photo

With the holiday season fast approaching, volunteers for the Short Term Emergency Aid Committee (STEAC) have been working hard to re-imagine the Holiday Program for 2020 amid coronavirus restrictions.

Their primary mission remains to provide food and gifts for low-income families and individuals in Davis during the December holiday season, but they also focused on the health and safety of everyone involved — staff, volunteers and clients.

“The Holiday Program is a time-honored tradition in Davis, and, of all of STEAC’s programs, it is by far the most widely recognized and embraced by local families and organizations,” said Kelly Coleman, program chair. “This holiday tradition is particularly special because it really is neighbor-helping-neighbor, bringing the Davis community together to care for and support each other.”

The needs are bigger than ever in 2020. For some, this year has deepened hardships they were already facing, while others are struggling with new challenges or experiencing poverty for the first time. The program will remain much the same as previous years, but there will be changes to the way the volunteers qualify clients, collect donations and deliver food and gifts on Distribution Day in December.

Low-income residents can apply for a holiday box through Nov. 15 using a new online form at www.steac.org. There also will be a few drive-up days where volunteers can interview residents on a first-come, first-served basis from their cars. Instructions for applying, including specific dates, times and what documentation to bring, are available at various locations around town including Davis Community Meals (1111 H St.), and at www.steac.org. Residents are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible since there is limited availability and slots fill up quickly.

STEAC is also looking for individuals, families, businesses, groups, clubs, churches and schools to adopt individuals and families of varying sizes. Holiday Program adopters are provided a checklist of food and a wish list of gifts specific to their adopted families. The cost of adopting ranges from $100 to $500-plus, depending on the size of the family. After the adopter buys and packages the food and gifts on the list, they must be delivered between Dec. 8 and 10 to the program headquarters at the First Baptist Church, 38141 Russell Blvd. in Davis. To adopt a family, go to www.steac.org and fill in the form.

And finally, STEAC needs volunteers to conduct qualification call-backs and interviews from Nov. 2 to 18, as well as for the collection and distribution activities happening Dec. 7 to 12. There will be new practices and procedures to safeguard health and safety during all of the volunteer shifts. Visit the website to fill out a volunteer form.

The STEAC Holiday Program not only provides support to local families in need during the holidays but also serves as an important fundraiser for STEAC’s other programs and services. Financial donations will support struggling low-income county residents with basic necessities like rent, utilities and food. Cash donations can be sent to the STEAC office at 1712 Picasso Ave., Unit D, Davis, CA 95618, or made directly through STEAC’s website at www.steac.org.