Second Harvest needs to raise $25 million by end of year – The Mercury News

Second Harvest needs help

Second Harvest of Silicon Valley has issued an urgent call for monetary donations as demand for its services continue to rise to near-peak pandemic levels.

Second Harvest still needs to raise $25 million by the end of December to stay on track for the fiscal year. Financial donations from community members, which make up the majority of the food bank’s operating budget, have dropped 37% compared to two years ago when the number of people the food bank served was similar. At the same time, critical government food donations and funding that helped the food bank get through the peak of the pandemic have ended.

As the hub of charitable food assistance for Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, Second Harvest is once again providing food to over 450,000 people every month, more than 80% over pre-pandemic levels.

To support Second Harvest, visit shfb.org/donate or call 1-866-234-3663.

Celebrate Three Kings

Children’s Discovery Museum is hosting its 25th annual Three Kings Celebration Jan. 7. The Three Kings are widely celebrated by many cultures and Spanish-speaking countries around the world.

The celebration features performances by the Brenda Lopez Folklórico group and Mariachi México; making and decorating a crown to wear throughout the day; learning the art of tortilla-making; taking home an individually wrapped, traditional Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings bread); and mingling with the kings for photo opportunities.

New this year, visitors are invited to participate in open mic sessions; singing, dancing, rapping, poetry reading and other art forms are welcome.

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, located at 180 Woz Way, will be open for play sessions from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. The Three Kings activities and performances will be the same at both sessions. Admission is $14-$15.