HoH, HoH, HoH! Thanks to House of Hope (HoH), Los Gatos’ community food pantry, Santa’s catchphrase just took on a new meaning. On Nov. 23, HoH provided 200 families struggling with food insecurity to a Thanksgiving brunch and Turkey Box distribution. Local cCommunity organization Vvolunteers from many organizations, schools and churches came together to help host the event. Guests relaxed at festive tables and enjoyed a tasty breakfast buffet featuring eggs, pastries, fresh fruit salad, sausages and juice. Later, each family received a turnkey Thanksgiving dinner box with a turkey, pumpkin pie and all the trimmings, plus groceries to tide them over during the pantry’s holiday closure.

“House of Hope is absolutely awesome. It’s like coming home,” said guest Charles Jones.

On Dec. 21, House of Hope will offer a special holiday breakfast (including gifts, raffles and games for the kids) and distribute Christmas dinner boxes with ham or turkey, as well as groceries. To register, come to House of Hope, at 16330 Los Gatos Blvd., on Thursdays between 3:30 and 5 p.m. or on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and noon.

HoH’s client base has nearly doubled since last year due to high rents and cost of living in the Bay Area. That number is expected to rise as the unsheltered and food insecure population continues to grow. Currently, HoH—which runs 100 percent on community donations—provides 20 grocery and basic essential items (one roll of toilet paper, bottle of shampoo, etc.) every week for 93 local families. This amounts to nearly 2,000 items per week or 100,000 items per year.

House of Hope serves people living in Los Gatos and surrounding communities but is open to anyone who needs help. Thanks to the pantry’s dignity-forward approach, guests are offered a personalized experience shopping the tiny pantry as they would a grocery store.

But this little house next to Calvary Church aims to give struggling families and individuals more than just something to eat or even a holiday dinner box. House of Hope also offers spiritual support.

“A lot of impoverished people have broken relationships,” said House of Hope director Jan Yount. “One of the ways we can help them get out of poverty is to build family and community around them. Then it’s a domino effect; the impoverished help each other.”

House of Hope is flush with food donations this holiday season but has a critical need for continued help into the new year.

“While people donate generously during the holidays, giving often falls off their radar during the rest of the year,” Yount said. “That’s why it’s crucial we stock up on inventory, so we aren’t scrambling to help those in need the remainder of the year.”

Recurring monthly or bimonthly donations can be set up by visiting House of Hope’s Amazon food drive wish list at www.calvarylg.com/amazon and choosing a basic staple item that’s needed year-round. One-time donations can also be made via the website, and can be delivered via Amazon Prime to House of Hope, c/o Calvary Church, 16330 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos 95032. Donations can also be dropped off at this address Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.