Celebrating mothers who grow hope, create community, and inspire us every day.
By Mikey J Smith
Mother’s Day gives us a moment to pause, reflect, and honor the powerful role mothers play—not just in families, but in entire communities.
Each day, mothers quietly shape the future, one choice, one challenge, one moment at a time.
At Family Giving Tree, we see that power up close every day.
From Drive Leaders organizing school supply collections with little ones in tow, to volunteers balancing work, parenting, and packing backpacks late into the evening, maternal figures are often at the heart of what we do. Their selfless drive and compassion are examples of the values guiding our work: bringing joy, growing hope, and creating community.
When a mother picks up a backpack from one of our partner agencies—one filled with supplies her child might otherwise go without—it’s not just a moment of relief. It’s a moment of joy. When she sees her child open a holiday gift from a stranger who cared enough to give, it’s not just a wrapped toy. It’s a spark of hope.
And when hundreds of moms across the Bay Area rally their families, offices, book clubs, and places of worship to join our Drives? That’s community in action.
And while we celebrate all that mothers do, it's just as important to acknowledge what so many are up against, especially here in the Bay Area.
The Reality for Bay Area Moms
Family support is especially vital in a region like the Bay Area, where being a mother often means navigating immense financial pressure. Consider the following...
- According to the Bay Area Metro Census Tool, 17% of households in the Bay Area are single-parent families—most of them led by women.
- A 2024 Axios report notes that nearly 25% of renters in the Bay Area are considered “severely rent burdened,” spending more than half their income on housing.
- The Insight Center for Community Economic Development reports that 36% of households with children in Santa Clara County live below the Self-Sufficiency Standard, meaning they cannot afford basic needs like housing, food, and childcare without support.
- Similarly, in Alameda County, 42% of households with children fall below that same standard.
These are more than numbers—they’re reminders of the daily choices mothers must make. Groceries or gas? Rent or school supplies? Family Giving Tree exists to relieve those pressures wherever we can—and with your help, we do.
This Mother’s Day, we honor the mothers in our community: Those who give, those who receive, and those who show us every day what it means to lead with heart.
Want to give back in their honor?
Support a mother this Mother’s Day by helping relieve some of her burdens.
Make a gift that gives back.
