SPRING/SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2020 THE SAMARITAN A LETTER FROM OUR CEO Dear friends, It’s an understatement to say that no one could have anticipated spending this Spring “sheltering in place”. Along with the rest of the world, Samaritan House has adapted to keep clients, staff, and volunteers safe while addressing the economic disparity faced by the working poor. Many of you reading this have been long-time supporters and have watched a busy past year filled with our expansion into East Palo Alto, the reveal of our new logo and look, and our swift pivot to contactless services, so we can continue to serve over 15,000 clients without a hiccup. For those of you that are new on board, I extend a warm welcome! You have joined a wonderful community of individuals who are nothing short of selfless. Local businesses provide meals to feed our frontline workers. Organizations, in turn, have purchased meals from these local businesses to be donated to our clients. Individuals, who are newly unemployed, choose to use their free time giving back by volunteering at the pantry or clinics. All that you do keeps someone fed, clothed, healthy, and housed. From the waiter at your favorite restaurant to your child’s classmate or the homebound senior citizen, someone can hold on today and look forward with hope for tomorrow because of you. As I write, “shelter in place” restrictions are loosening. Most are hoping for some return of the life we had prior to the pandemic, You have joined but our economy is not moving at the same pace, nor in quite the same direction. Those who were previously struggling a wonderful financially, are now joined by the newly unemployed, in trying to make a living and a life for their families in San Mateo County. community of We know that many will feel this unexpected hardship for quite individuals who some time, and for as long as it takes, we will be here for them. Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together we will are nothing short continue to fight poverty and lift lives. With gratitude, of selfless. Bart Charlow CEO, LMFT 1 SPRING/SUMMER 2020 VOLUNTEERING IN A PANDEMIC By Vicky S., Volunteer “It’s really important to me that the more vulnerable of our volunteers stay home and stay healthy. But it’s also important to me that Samaritan House clients — many of whom will suffer more than most in this economic upheaval — get the food and other resources they need to be able to stay home too. I can’t think of a more “essential service” than keeping people fed during a crisis. We have had a busy but heartwarming time in the kitchen. We’re changing protocols, pre-packing bags and boxes, and keeping more distance than usual. When some perishable donations from company cafeterias came in, we started passing out brie and packages of fancy snacks to people who could really use a reason to crack a grin. When we ran short of something we needed for a family, we stuck to Ruby’s philosophy: make ‘em happy, and give it with love. We replaced packages of rice with quinoa or pasta, and we did our best to make sure nobody was going home without enough to get by. There’s a lot that’s hard about what we’re doing. Trying to be fair, trying to be efficient, and trying to get people what they need can be overwhelming! When we have clients who have no access to an oven, for example, or even a can opener and a microwave, we have to get creative. And when we’re trying to communicate to clients in at least four different languages, we smile, hold up things and point, and figure it out. But, I think nearly everyone is having a hard time right now, no matter who they are. And I am truly lucky, because at Samaritan House I get to do the one thing that can hold me together in all this stress and worry -- send people home with a wave, good wishes, and a bundle of groceries. Give it with love”. 2 THE SAMARITAN A LITTLE HELP GOES A LONG WAY David, with a heart for the Board of Directors homeless and hungry, began President Mike Aydelott Street Life Ministries in 2000. Vice President It’s currently an organization Davina Hurt that serves over 500 meals Treasurer a week to men, women, and Susan Ketcham children. However, at the start Secretary of his ministry and just newly Laurie May married, David found that he Members needed a little help. Duncan Beardsley Sophie W. Cole M.D. Laurence P. Dugoni “I wasn’t making a lot of money when I got married. My income Nicole Fernandez at the time was based on how I was growing the ministry and my Ronald L. Granville fundraising, which wasn’t much then. We were already serving Philip L. Gregory Menlo Park and Redwood City, when my wife suggested that we Valentina Helo-Villegas could expand the ministry into San Mateo. While looking at ways to Michael Jackson expand the ministry north, I ended up at the Samaritan House food Jeffery Lucchesi pantry where my neighbor was volunteering. I realized that Samaritan Pamela McCarthy-Hudson House gave out bread, fruit, hot meals, and all kinds of food. That Maria Nadel day, I picked up three food boxes for my family and my wife and son Lana Pierce were able to return a few more times. We looked at our budget and Susan Ringoen Clifford Robbins saw how this really helped us. It was an amazing time where we got Massy Safai M.D. support we needed. Food costs money and being able to curb that Ravi Sinha off our budget helped us in our first seven months of marriage. I’ll Faye Star never forget how much Margaret Taylor that meant to us.” Lisa Toyama Jarboe Since then, the ministry Chief Executive Officer Bart A. Charlow has transformed into a comprehensive Advisory Council organization where need Council Chair continues to grow. Now Patty Hsiu in 2020, Samaritan House Members and Street Life Ministries Lucretia-del Broussard are partners in feeding Tish Busselle community members in Joan Cassman need. Robert Fitzgerald Sr. William S. Freeman To this day Samaritan Pam Frisella House and David Neela Gentile work together, finding Robert Grassilli commonality in how we William Kenney can be a resource to our Mollie Marshall neighbors. Alexander Moldanado M.D. Judith Powell Ph.D Jay Strauss Sheila Wolfson 3 SPRING/SUMMER 2020 SUTTER HEALTH/MILLS-PENINSULA MEDICAL CENTER • CAROLE MIDDLETON v ir PRESENT t u a l e the samaritan house main event v A Roaring 20s Gala e n t April 30, 2020 • 6:30pm fight poverty. Give generously. On April 30th, 2020, the community gathered online for Samaritan House’s first ever, virtual Main Event to raise critical funds to keep our neighbors living in poverty fed, clothed, healthy, and housed. Master of Ceremonies, Diane Dwyer, and Auctioneer, Franco Finn, rallied the attendees and inspired incredible generosity. Thank you to all our wonderful sponsors and supporters. We extend a special thanks to our presenting sponsors... GREAT GATSBY UNDERWRITERS Keren and Jeffrey Kotowitz Sheila and Mark Wolfson The Patty Dwyer Group Annette and David Kranzler Peninsula Building Materials Co. Christine and Jeff Krolik FUND-A-NEED Peninsula Siding Co, Inc. Pamela Kurtzman The Bohannon Foundation RG Developments, Inc. Debbie and Jeff Lucchesi Carole Middleton SEA Construction, Inc. Mollie and Joe Marshall Sutter Health/ Mills-Peninsula Medical Center Stephanie Masten Gilead Sciences COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS Laurie and Laurence May Anne Abela CHARLESTON Margaret and Michael McCaffery Cindy and Chris Abramson Bank of America Merrill Lynch Megan McSweeney and Andrew Whalley Carolyn and David Amaral Kaiser Permanente Susan N. Meyers Lynn and Ralph Armenio Marlene and Mick Mihojevich CAT’S MEOW Joyce and Richard Baur Beth Morris Hanson Bridget, LLP Catherine and R. Duncan Beardsley Derek Mune Bill and Sue Kenney Janice and Dennis Berkowitz Tamara Naidu Peninsula Health Care District Anita Bhandari Tasia and David Neeve Dave and Adrienne Weil Tami Tong Bhaumik and Samir Bhaumik Bryan Neider Audrey Bojack and Richard J. Bojack DAPPER FLAPPER Liz and Bob Olson Susan A. Brenner Avidbank Susan and Roger Oser Lucretia-del J. Broussard Barulich Dugoni & Sutmann Law Group, Inc. Brian Perkins Maureen and Robert Buck Bay Area Border Relief Judith Powell and David Olson Carolyn and Robert Bunje Boston Private Dolores A. Quigg Anne Campbell and Michelle Green Damelio Group Lucy M. Schmidt, MD Joyce Cave Dignity Health - Sequoia Hospital Brenda and Jim Sell Marie and Mike Chuang Provident Credit Union Margaret Shafer and Cliff Robbins Susan Comartin The Raiser Family Kathleen and Elliot Shubin Elizabeth Crispin San Mateo County Community College District Bessie L. Stewart-Ross Docusign Matching Gifts Program Ting & Associates, Merrill Lynch Wealth Charles and Jessica Stone Sue and Mark Dooley Management Susan Swetter and Daniel Guenin Rabbi Dennis Eisner, Peninsula Temple Beth El Woodmont Real Estate Services Lori Tamura-Chinn Mary Ann and Robert Fitzgerald Ilana and Neal Tandowsky BEE’S KNEES Maureen and Paul Fitzgerald Mayor Cecilia Taylor The Bohannon Foundation Beth and William Freeman Jim Traceski Fitzgerald Landscapes Lisa and Jack Fuchs Mary Lou and Frank Vidergar Dr. Massy Safai Terri and Larry Garnick Rosa and Chris Welton Vocker Kristofferson & Co. Mayor Joe Goethals Allan Wofchuck HOTSY TOTSY Robert J. Grassilli, Jr. Mike and Cathy Aydelott Myra Haggerty and Mike Harrold OFFICIAL JEWELRY SPONSOR Ken Constantino - Realtor Holy O. Hing Kerns Fine Jewelry D’ Elia Construction Inc.