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What You Should Know About Martha's Village & Kitchen

Who is Martha's Village & Kitchen named after?

The biblical Martha was known for feeding Jesus. Our founders, Gloria Gomez and Claudia Castorena, embraced the philosophy that the hungry who came for food were like Christ visiting Mary and Martha in Bethany and named their outreach Martha’s Kitchen.

Is Martha's Village a religious organization?

While it is steeped in a Catholic tradition of service, Martha’s Village has taken an ecumenical approach to serving the Coachella Valley. From our beginning in 1990, board members, staff, volunteers and donors have represented a multitude of religious experiences, all focused on working together to help those who need our help the most.

When did Martha’s Village partner with Father Joe’s Villages?

In addition to feeding the homeless, there was the need for emergency and transitional housing in the Coachella Valley. With the donation of land and money, a search began for a successful shelter model. Martha’s Village embraced Father Joe’s Villages’ nationally acclaimed life-changing programs. Partnering with Father Joe’s Villages made it possible for Martha’s Village to better help our neighbors in need.

Does the money you raise stay in the Valley?

Yes. All the contributions made to Martha’s Village stay in the Coachella Valley to help our local neighbors in need.

How much money goes to provide services?

83 cents of every dollar goes to Martha’s Village programs. The rest pays for administrative expenses.

What causes homelessness?

Different situations cause people to become homeless, including job loss, substance abuse and domestic violence. Something happens in a person’s life – financially, mentally, emotionally, physically – to cause them to lose their ability to care for themselves.

How many people live at Martha’s Village?

120+ people – babies, families, and single men and women – receive shelter and services at Martha’s Village; 70 beds are for children and infants. Families live in a room together, and no family in need is ever turned away.

How long can someone live at Martha’s Village?

Residents in our transitional housing program can live at Martha’s Village up to two years, but most stay less than a year.

What do you do for residents?

Unlike most shelters, Martha’s Village provides not only residence and meals but also educational programs, job training, children’s services, counseling, recovery services and an on-site medical clinic to help those in need regain their self-sufficiency.

How else does Martha’s Village serve the community?

Martha’s Village serves an additional 500-700 local neighbors a day with access to a hot meal, our medical clinic, and emergency food packages from our pantry.

What is required of the residents?

Martha’s Village is a professional service center where residents must commit to following a structured program of classes, chores and house rules as well as searching for and obtaining employment, and finding reliable transportation and housing, in order to continue to receive the services we provide and reach their goal of becoming self-sufficient.

Has there been an increase in people served due to the current economic situation?

Yes. There has been an increase of 30-40 percent, especially for Emergency Assistance to non-residents (e.g. canned and dry goods, payment of utilities, clothing, etc.).

How is Martha’s Village managed?

The Administration consists of a local Board of Directors; Sister Patricia Cruise, President; John Wolohan, Executive Director for Programs; and Blair Amidei, Director of Development. There are also seven dedicated managers who oversee each of our programs.

How can I help?

Make a financial commitment by contributing to Martha’s Village. We also highly value contributions of your time and talent as a volunteer. Martha’s Village Thrift Store accepts donations of gently used clothing and furniture. You can also donate your unwanted vehicles (e.g. autos, trucks, boats, RVs, etc.).

Contributions

Cash Contributions

You can contribute online, mail your contribution to Martha’s Village & Kitchen, 83-791 Date Avenue, Indio, CA 92201-4737 or you can call 760.347.4741 x 305.

Usable Goods and Vehicles

To contribute usable clothing, furniture and other household goods or to contribute your car, boat, plane and other vehicles go to our online donation page, or call 760.775.6060 x 1.

Volunteer Opportunities

To volunteer your time, please contact our Volunteer Services Coordinator at 760.347.4741, ext. 310.