South Bay, East Bay charities on fundraising blitz

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Local charities are counting on the public's generosity during a 24-hour fundraising blitz happening in the East Bay and South Bay.

Volunteers and nonprofit employees are at locations in the South Bay and the Peninsula for Silicon Valley Gives.

More than $4.5 million has been raised for 650 nonprofit groups in Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Benito Counties, including Veggielution, a community garden and education project in San Jose.

"It's this huge day. There's just a lot of attention being generated and a lot of new people that haven't, that maybe hadn't thought about giving and hadn't maybe heard about Veggielution, are finding out," said Veggielution's Amie Frisch.

East Bay Gives is also raising money Tuesday in an online fund-drive for 150 charities in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

People can make donations to either campaign online.