San Jose Mercury News Wish Book Fund

Created in 1983, this campaign is the winter holiday fundraiser of the San Jose Mercury News. Each year, the newsroom gathers information from a variety of social service organizations that serve low-income families and individuals in its primary circulation area (Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Benito, Alameda, and Santa Cruz counties) on their needs and the needs of their clients. From this information, the newspaper publishes a series of individual stories and encourages readers to donate. The money that is raised, including this Hewlett Foundation support, is then used to purchase what is most needed by the community, such as warm jackets, hot meals, books, computer equipment, and job training. This is a general support grant.