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The mission of Ecumenical Hunger Program is to work with families to eliminate their hunger and to break the cycle of poverty. By providing its programs with compassion and respect, EHP promotes the personal dignity of those it serves and encourages self-reliance.

Programs and Services Emergency Food Assistance EHP provides boxes of food to meet basic nutritional needs of families and individuals experiencing temporary emergency needs or special circumstances, such as long term illness. The food boxes are nutritionally balanced, containing vegetables, protein, grains and cereals, as well as canned goods. They are prepared with an understanding of the cultural and ethnic preferences of each family. In 1997, EHP distributed a total of 2,950 food boxes. A total of 5,352 unduplicated individuals were served. We were able to do this with a food budget of only $45,665, and we expect to complete our fiscal year under budget by $10,000. We are able to do this with the help of the food bank and the growing community support through food drives. Monday Night Meal Program EHP prepares and serves hot meals to individuals and families every Monday night at the St. Francis of Assisi Church in East Palo Alto. Families and individuals alike are welcome to eat. Some are homeless, while others are clients who take advantage of this program to preserve the limited funds they have. St. Vincent de Paul works in collaboration with EHP. This program fed approximately 3,000 unduplicated people in 1997, two-thirds of whom were children. Personal Support Many come to EHP with multiple needs that require personal ongoing support as they go through the crises that have led to their poverty and hunger. As these needs have become more complex EHP has implemented a case management program. EHP's staff is then able to assist the client in addressing and prioritizing these problems in-depth, providing both immediate and long term assistance essential for a family's success. This is a crucial element in the transition of client families from dependence on assistance to self-reliance. Furniture, Clothing and Household Essentials EHP distributes clothing, furniture, appliances and household essentials, such as blankets, sheets and dishes. Over 3,000 visits are made to the clothes closet yearly, serving over 10,000 people. All goods are donations from the community. This program matches the donated resources of the donors to the needs of the clients in an act of kindness and goodwill. The most common furniture requests are for beds and refrigerators. EHP also receives and distributes sofas, stoves, baby furniture, tables, etc. EHP is able to assist an average of 50 families each month with furniture or large appliances. At any given time there are 150-200 families on a waiting list for essential goods and basic living needs. Client Advocacy Information and referral assistance are provided to clients seeking housing, financial assistance for basic needs, i.e., P.G.&E, health care, child care, employment, language skills and other social services. EHP works with other agencies in the community to facilitate access to critical resources. Women's Support Group The Women's Support Group began in 1989 as a way to develop support and leadership for women in the community. The approach used is re-evaluation or co-counseling, a nonhierarchical approach offering support and listening, with the goal of developing leadership from within the group. A core group of 8-10 women participate weekly.