By Lora Oehlberg

JOE HU/TOWN CRIER

Town Crier Editorial Intern

When thinking of Silicon Valley, most Americans think of microchips and software - not necessarily poverty and homelessness. However, two local groups have been opening their doors to those in need, and thanks to the Town Crier Holiday Fund, will be continuing their work to help others.

The fund has topped $68,000, according to Publisher Paul Nyberg. (For more details, see the ad on Page 48.)

Community Homeless Alliance Ministry

Community Homeless Alliance Ministry (CHAM) is a San Jose-based homeless program that provides food, shelter, and clothing for homeless families, as well as advocacy for the homeless. It began in 1990 as Student Homeless Alliance, founded by Scott Wagers who was then a sociology student at San Jose State University.

The program then evolved to Community Homeless Alliance Ministry, founding its homeless shelter in San Jose in 1997. The shelter now serves 40-50 people, mainly from the San Jose area,

The organization is not government-funded, and is run by volunteers in alliance with First Christian Church in San Jose. Their budget is under $50,000 a year.

“We’re really scraping along. We’re not one of those big government-funded programs. We receive generous help from First Christian Church,” said Sandy Perry.

The organization also works on a spiritual basis, ministering to the homeless, participating in public events addressing housing and economic justice, and teaching the homeless to become advocates for themselves.

“We try to bring homeless people to the public debate. we like to give the homeless an opportunity to advocate for themselves,” said Sandy Perry, the director of CHAM.

Onedia “Mother” Branch

Onedia “Mother” Branch has been helping and giving to the poor and homeless for almost fifty years. She works from her home in East Palo Alto,and out of four trailers which hold supplies to give to anyone who needs help.”

“I give to all needy people for 47 years, no one was turned away that was in need without anything,” Branch said. “I always find something for them.”

“I give food on every day of the week, year round. They come for clothes, things like that. We have a lot of homeless people here, I got to get sleeping bags for them.”

In all her years of caring for others, Branch has never received any county or federal funding for her program.

“I’ve ran that center on faith, and by the grace of God I’ve made it this far,” Branch said.

Branch needs help year-round; in providing supplies for others; however, the holiday season requires an extra push.

“It’s more pressing on the holidays. It seems like it’s a push and all, you have to get all you can to help the people, and that’s what I’m doing, trying.”

And how she tries. Branch is in need of hams, turkeys, and other holiday foods to provide to families.

“I tried to cook holiday dinners for two years, but I found out I was killing myself since after dinner I gave an extra box of food for them to take home. Let me give them the turkey or ham and the other food and let them do it. From that time on that’s what I’ve been doing. I give boxes of food, and try to give enough for the days after the holidays.”

Any money that Branch receives would go towards purchasing food and clothes for others, and paying rent on two trailers she has.

“Well, I need everything: clothes, food, household goods, dishes and things like that. Anything you have that’s usable, honey.”

Both Mother Branch and the Community Homeless Alliance Ministry are beneficiaries of the Los Altos Town Crier Holiday Fund.

To contribute to the fund, send a check to Town Crier Holiday Fund 2001, 138 Main St., Los Altos 94022. You may also contribute by phone with a credit card by calling Gail Vanderberg at the Town Crier office, 948-9000, ext. 309. Contributions are 100 percent tax deductible. Donations will be processed through Community Foundation Silicon Valley.