136. Best Local Charity

Milpitas Food Pantry, which has won the award almost every year, regained its title in 2008, helping thousands of individuals each year in Milpitas and Alviso, providing essential meals in addition to clothing through its Clothes Closet.

The Family Giving Tree won in 2007 for the first time and returned as the first runner-up this year. Its massive holiday gift-giving campaign benefits 60,000-plus youngsters across the Bay Area. With the help of hundreds of host companies, and as many warehouse volunteers, the Family Giving Tree was also able to provide backpacks filled with school supplies to thousands of Bay Area children at back to school time.

Goodwill was also mentioned.

And don’t forget about the service clubs, readers reminded us. Milpitas Rotary, Milpitas Kiwanis, and the Milpitas Executive and Host Lions clubs were mentioned most, for the invaluable free services they provide to the community.