Local Nonprofit Spreads Holiday Cheer

Bay Area moms made the holiday season a little brighter this week for students and families at Cesar Chavez Academy. Burlingame-based Moms Against Poverty (MAP) teamed up with Como Esta Taqueria in Palo Alto to host "Christmas at Cesar Chavez Academy" for nearly 300 families.

Central County fire fighters and East Palo Alto police officers were on hand to give out gifts, and Santa greeted children attending the event.

About 90 percent of the 800 kindergarten through middle school students attending Cesar Chavez Academy in East Palo Alto live below the poverty line.

“No child should have to ask their parents why Santa forgot them or didn’t stop at their house this year,” said Delfarib Fanaie, executive director of Moms Against Poverty in a statement. “Through our Holiday Helping Hand Project, MAP helps insure these children will have a gift for Christmas and a warm meal they can enjoy in the company of their family.”

MAP was formed in 2008 to support children living in poverty. Its members operate in the United States, Sierra Leone, Iran, Cambodia and Afghanistan.

To learn more about MAP or to donate, visit www.MomsAgainstPoverty.org.