WHERE TO DONATE FOR HOLIDAY FOOD BASKETS

With Thanksgiving two weeks away, service organizations and churches across Orange County are seeking donations of foodstuffs and cash to help feed the needy on the holiday.

Following is a list of agencies that will accept donations and distribute them through various agencies, including the Food Distribution Center-Serving Orange County and St. Vincent de Paul.

According to Food Distribution Center officials, some 320,000 people in Orange County may go to bed hungry at least once a month or go without food for a day. Most eat improperly balanced meals.

During its last fiscal year, Oct. 1-Sept. 30, FDC supplied its participating agencies with 6.6 million pounds of supplemental food worth $7.6 million. This compares with 7.5 million pounds of food valued at $8.62 million distributed last year to 98,000 people.

Earlier this year, the facility expanded its freezer and pantry storage space to 77,000 cubic feet to accommodate 25 million pounds of food.

Share Our Selves, the Costa Mesa-based organization that annually feeds 216,000 from its food distribution center, is now accepting donations for Christmas baskets and new toys.

Project Hope* County Health Care Agency -Volunteer Services

1440 East First St., Suite 305 Santa Ana, Calif. 92701

(714) 834-5585

Since 1983, the volunteer organization committed to serving the county’s mental health and public health clients has worked with the Irvine Board of Realtors, banks, local clubs, high school and auxiliary groups.

Project Hope used 4,000 pounds of food collected by the Orange County Postal Federal Employees Credit Union last year to assist families during the holiday season. Based on an average of five to six persons per household, volunteers are hoping to feed 500 families this Thanksgiving.

Nonperishable foods are requested because the program lacks refrigeration facilities. Cash donations will be used to purchase turkeys and other holiday meal trimmings prior to distribution. Food certificates redeemable at local supermarkets are welcomed. Arrangements can be made for donors to adopt families.

Today is the deadline for donations. Please make checks payable to “Project Hope” and send to the address listed above.

Orange County Postal Federal Employees Credit Union* 13902 Harbor Blvd.

Garden Grove, Calif. 92643

24000 Avila Road, (lower level)

Laguna Niguel, Calif. 92677 (714) 554-2700

Federal postal and credit union employees are working with “Project Hope” for the second consecutive year. Boxes for canned goods and non-perishable food donations have been placed in post offices and both credit union locations. They will remain throughout the holiday season. All donations made by Nov. 20 will be used for Thanksgiving.

Employees have adopted five families who will receive special food baskets with fully cooked hams and gifts for the holidays. Persons giving cash donations should make checks payable to “Project Hope,” The County Health Care Agency-Volunteer Services, 1440 East First St., Suite 305, Santa Ana, Calif. 92701.

Friends In Service To Humanity (FISH)* (Address not available, only phone calls accepted)

(714) 642--6060 The volunteer Christian service organization funded partially by United Way provides emergency assistance to residents of Costa Mesa, Irvine and Newport Beach living at and/or below the poverty level. Thanksgiving baskets will be hand-delivered to 100 needy families. To donate, call (714) 642--6060. Dried milk, canned goods, non-perishable foods and monetary donations are requested by Nov. 20. Please notify the organization by Nov. 16 to donate turkeys, which are needed by Nov. 23.

Orange County Rescue Mission*

1901 W. Walnut St.

Santa Ana, Calif. 92703

(714) 835-0499 With support from local churches and organizations, the mission plans to give away 300 to 500 food boxes complete with turkeys. Canned vegetables, turkeys and frozen pies are requested. Dinner for an estimated 2,200-2,500 people will be served starting at 11:30 a.m. Volunteers are needed to assist and serve dinner. Donations are still needed for Christmas.

Delhi Community Center*

542 E. Central Ave.

Santa Ana, Calif. 92707

(714) 549-1317 “We wanted to give away 395 turkey baskets last year. Unfortunately, we simply ran out of food,” said Guillermo Corvoba, program manager. But the center, celebrating its 20th birthday, hopes to meet the former quota. Donations--canned or frozen vegetables, cranberry sauce, hams, turkeys, rice, tomato sauce--are needed by Nov. 23.

Catholic Charities* Catholic Community Agencies*

2829 West First St.

Santa Ana, Calif. 92703

(714) 543-3924

Presently, the agency distributes 450 bags of food weekly to needy families. Holiday baskets will not be given out. “The need is all year long. Our focus is expanding regular food distribution during the holidays. We must give more food to more people who need it,” a spokeswoman said.

The agency has ample storage facilities ready to be stocked with fresh vegetables and fruits, canned goods and protein foods.

Southwest Community Center*

1601 West Second St. Santa Ana, Calif. 92703

(714) 543-8933 Dinner will be served to approximately 350 to 500 retired, homeless and handicapped people from 25 to 60 years old. The center needs turkeys, canned or frozen mixed vegetables, peas and corn, milk, fruit punch, plastic and paper utensils and desserts. Donations can be made up to Thanksgiving Day. Volunteers are needed to cook and serve.

Episcopal Service Alliance** 311 W. South St .

Anaheim, Calif. 92805

(714) 364-2895 The agency plans to distribute at least 400 holiday baskets from three community services offices and to serve Thanksgiving Day dinners to approximately 300 women and families housed in temporary quarters at two emergency shelters. Small food baskets for persons without cooking facilities will also be distributed. Community residents are requested to make donations no later than a week prior, allowing officials adequate time to determine how many families can be serviced. Volunteers are needed to make and distribute baskets. Arrangements can be made for donors to deliver baskets to recipients’ homes. If you are interested in making a donation, please contact a convenient location:

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church

311 W. South St. , Anaheim, (714) 776-7510

Episcopal Church of the Messiah 614 N. Bush St., Santa Ana, (714) 953-9170

Episcopal Service Alliance (south office building)

150 W. Ave. Pico, San Clemente, (714) 492-8211

Martha House for Women 275 S. Glassell St., Orange, (714) 639-5323

Anchor House for Families 150 W. Ave. Pico, San Clemente, (714) 492-8211

Brother Michael’s Christian Mission** 233 Flower St .

Costa Mesa, Calif. 92627

(714) 548-3491 The food distribution center based at South Coast Christian Church, 972 Victoria Ave., needs turkeys, chickens, vegetables, desserts and cash. Donations may be made in person or by calling Brother Michael, (714) 548-3491. In addition to the mission’s regular distribution program, which operates Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., holiday baskets will be given out on Thanksgiving Day. Officials estimate they will serve 400 needy households this year.

Orange County Indian Center** 12755 Brookhurst St .

Garden Grove, Calif. 92640 (714) 530-0221) Food supplies have been low but officials are hoping community residents will respond with donations. “Besides turkeys and all the basic holiday goodies, we need canned goods and other stable foods which can be distributed to those in need,” said a center spokeswoman. Last year, congregation members from the Church of Jesus Christ in Anaheim helped the center provide and deliver 80 Thanksgiving baskets to families.

Salvation Army**

201 E. Cypress St .

Anaheim, Calif. 92805

(714) 778-5460 818 East Third St.

Santa Ana, Calif. 92701

(714) 546-7880

The Anaheim branch of the Salvation Army hopes to distribute about 100 Ralph’s Giant food gift certificates valued up to $50 to needy families. Thanksgiving dinner for 250 people will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cash donations and gift certificates are needed. The agency’s Santa Ana office will have approximately 40 to 50 food baskets for distribution.

St. Anne’s Parish --Social Justice Committee***

109 W. Borchard St.

Santa Ana, Calif. 92707

(714) 542-8200 The food distribution site will select 100 families with children from its regular client list to receive Thanksgiving baskets. Recipients must live within parish boundaries--First Street to Sunflower Avenue and Bristol to Standard streets. Persons donating poultry are requested to call (714) 835-7434 by Nov. 16. Food items will be accepted Nov. 21-23 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the rectory. Ninety percent of all clients are Spanish-speaking and bilingual volunteers who are willing to work three hours per week are needed.

St. Barbara’s Catholic Church***

730 S. Euclid St.

Santa Ana, Calif. 92704 (714) 775-7733 The parish is planning food distribution to 300-400 needy families on Nov. 24, depending upon availability. Recipients must live within parish boundaries: north--22 freeway; south--Heil Ave.; east-- Harbor Blvd.; west--Magnolia St. Canned and non-perishable goods are needed. Monetary gifts will be used to buy poultry products. All items are requested by Nov. 15.

St. Boniface***

120 N. Janss St.

Anaheim, Calif. 92805 (714) 956-3110 During a special Thanksgiving Mass, parishioners will donate non-perishable foods and canned goods for use by the church’s food distribution and meal feeding programs throughout the year.

St. Columban’s Parish*** 10801 Stanford St.

Garden Grove, Calif. 92642

(714) 534-1174 The Garden Grove-based food distribution site will pre-select recipients for Thanksgiving baskets from its regular clientele, who live within parish boundaries: north--Katella, south--Trask, east--Harbor Blvd., and west--Magnolia Ave. Donations should be made by Nov. 16.

St. Hedwig Church***

11482 Los Alamitos Blvd.

Los Alamitos, Calif. 90720 (213) 430-0509

Cash donations and supermarket gift certificates are requested by Nov. 16 to help feed approximately 50 needy families living in an area with these boundaries: north--Wardlow, south--405 Freeway, east--Valley View St., and west--605 Freeway.

St. Joachim of Costa Mesa*** 1964 Orange Ave.

Costa Mesa, Calif. 92627

(714) 646-0234 The food distribution site presently serves approximately 100 families a month. Donations received for Thanksgiving will be given to local organizations--Share Our Selves (SOS) and Friends In Service To Humanity--for distribution to needy families.

St. John the Baptist***

1015 Baker St.

Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626

(714) 540-2214

A special canned good drive held at Mass on Thanksgiving Day will be given to the local organization, Share Our Selves (SOS), for distribution at Christmas.

St. Joseph’s Church 727 Minter St. Santa Ana, Calif. 92702 (714) 542-4411 A Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Officials anticipate feeding at least 300 people. Volunteers willing to cook and serve are urged to call. Fresh vegetables, turkeys, cooked pies and canned pumpkin are needed.

St. Juliana’s Catholic Church*** 1316 N. Acacia Ave.

Fullerton, Calif. 92631

(714) 879-1965

St. Mary’s Church*** 400 W. Commonwealth Ave.

Fullerton, Calif. 92632

(714) 525-2500 Parishioners work cooperatively to support a food distribution site located at St. Mary’s. Both churches will distribute Thanksgiving baskets to needy residents within parish boundaries. Donations are requested by Nov. 24.

* Efforts by independent groups and/or organizations.

** Participating member of the Food Distribution Center--Serving Orange County.

*** Catholic churches of St. Vincent de Paul Conferences.

Clipboard researched by Rick VanderKynff, Dan Crump, Nancy Reed, Henry Riveri, Deborrah Wilkinson / Los Angeles Times