In an ever-changing year of a pandemic, protests and wildfires, Mercury News readers showed their generosity like never before. Donations to our annual holiday campaign — which highlighted the devastating impacts of COVID-19 on those already very much in need — set a stunning record of $1,244,232.
That figure is nearly twice the amount raised in 2019, which at the time also was a record. And this year’s tally included a $100,000 gift, the single largest donation in Wish Book’s history going back to 1983.
“The overwhelming response from our subscribers and readers to this year’s campaign is a testament to the giving nature of the Bay Area,” Bay Area News Group Publisher Sharon Ryan said. “I am pleased that we were able to use our voice to help support community members in need.”
For a nonprofit like Hunger at Home, which should receive more than twice its $25,000 goal — the assistance will make a huge difference for the nonprofit, which transformed into a full-scale meal preparation and distribution network at the onset of the pandemic. Using two commercial kitchens, and marshaling a team of chefs, food service workers and volunteers, Hunger at Home was preparing 10,000 meals a day for unemployed workers and homeless individuals living in Project Roomkey hotels.
