The Ecumenical Hunger Program (EHP), a 35 year old, private, non-profit, community-based organization located in East Palo Alto provides emergency food, clothing, case management, and household essentials to families in need in East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Palo Alto. In addition, EHP plays a major role in both advocating for, and providing referrals to resources available to low-income families and individuals in our community.
Download our Brochure (Free Adobe Plug-in Required)
Click on the above picture to view a video of the story of EHP
Our Mission: EHP provides food, clothing, household essentials, support and referral services to those in need.
Our Vision: EHP is a sustainable resource within the community working to break the cycle of poverty.
Our Core Values: Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Sustainability, Empowerment, Teamwork
History
EHP was founded in 1975 by Miriam Nixon Hope and a group from Church Women United who channeled surplus and donated food to neighborhood pantries where it was then distributed to families in need. EHP was incorporated in 1978 as a non-profit organization. Within a few years EHP began addressing other critical needs in the community, distributing clothing, furniture, and household essentials, and providing referrals and other support to those in need in our service area
Accomplishments in 2007
EHP distributed a total of 5,547 food boxes to meet basic nutritional needs of families, as well as to individuals with emergency needs or special circumstances, such as long-term illness. A total of 15,825 unduplicated individuals were served. All this was accomplished with a cash food budget of only $35,000. The help of the Food Bank and growing community support for food drives and collections was instrumental in stretching our resources. Due in large part to such management of resources EHP will be able to complete its last fiscal year well under budget. EHP and a partner agency prepared and served hot meals to over 4,842 individuals, two-thirds of them children, at a local church, helping our client families conserve the limited funds they have. * EHP distributed clothing, furniture, appliances, and household essentials, such as blankets, sheets, and dishes to over 21,000 individuals.
Our Diverse Community
EHP serves low income families and individuals. If clients are fortunate enough to have housing, they are now often in jeopardy of losing it. Many of the families EHP serves are faced with the terrible dilemma of having to choose between having a roof over their heads or food on the table. A warm jacket and school supplies are often luxuries EHP’s clients simply cannot afford. Although EHP’s priority is serving families, seniors, the disabled, and some individuals also receive services. The composition of EHP’s client base by ethnicity is:
55% Hispanic
20% African American
15% Pacific Islander
5% Caucasion
5% Other Nationalities
According to Second Harvest Food Bank’s recent report 71,066 residents of San Mateo County are living 150% below the federal poverty standard. The Food Bank compiled the following facts about clients who receive food from community-based organizations such as EHP.
75% are families with children
48% are children under 17 years of age
88% have an annual income under $14,000
The Office
The EHP office is located at 2411 Pulgas Avenue in East Palo Alto. We are open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-in donations are accepted during all open hours. Please go to the "Donate" page for more information on schedule large donation pick-ups.
You can contact us at (650) 323-7781 or email us for more information info@ehpcares.org.