Hundreds of Samaritan House families turned out Thursday to collect baskets full of food, clothing and gifts from dozens of volunteers hoping to make the holiday season a little brighter for the less fortunate.
Standing in a line that went out the door of the San Mateo County Expo Center into the winter cold, families waited their turn to be given a number corresponding to a shopping cart filled with a box of food, clothing and toys. Adults could then examine the makeshift boutique and children could sort through a table of toys. Beyond the bags of goods, however, a bigger gift was being exchanged - Holiday spirit.
On one side of the blue curtains, parents waited patiently for the food that will help them make it through the month until the next paycheck. Children ran around with garland and clung tight to their new stuffed animals.
For San Carlos couple Angela and Christian, the small box of food and the clothes they receive allow them some extra money to spend on a couple of gifts for their baby. Angela works in a law office and Christian is employed at a warehouse. Their full-time jobs don't produce enough to cover much more than food, rent and daycare costs.
"We live check to check," said Angela, who declined to give her last name.
On the other side of the curtain, volunteering gave people a greater appreciation of what they have.
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"It certainly brings it much closer to home," said San Mateo resident Daniel Brenner. "There are some really grateful people out there."
Brenner and his 13-year-old son, Ari, spent the last three days packing food and handing it out to people. Ari organized a food and toy drive at his school that produced five barrels of goods. Last night, he helped distribute the very same toys his classmate donated.
"I've seen it all the way through," Brenner said. "I've learned a lot about people and it's sort of a different experience."
For regular volunteers, the good feeling doesn't wane as the years pass. Ruth Shavel began organizing food donations more than 10 years ago and since then has seem the program grow to nearly 1,000 clients.
"It gives as much to the volunteers as the clients," said Ruth Shavel.
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