HOW TO HELP THE NEEDY

The following are some of the organizations that are accepting donations to help the needy during the holidays:

Catholic Charities, Catholic Community Agencies

Donations of canned goods and non-perishable food, new or used toys, clothes, blankets, household items, towels and diapers are requested. They may be dropped off at Carpenters Hall, 2829 W. 1st St., Santa Ana, (714) 543-3924. Money donations may be mailed or taken to 1506 Brookhollow Drive, Suite 112, Santa Ana 92705.

Christian Temporary Housing Inc.

Money donations may be dropped off or mailed to 900 S. Sunkist Ave., Anaheim, (714) 635-1520. Donations of canned goods and non-perishable food, new and used unwrapped toys, clothes, furniture and blankets may be dropped off at 393 N. Tustin Ave., Orange, (714) 744-4141, or 704 Glassell St., Orange, (714) 771-2969.

Episcopal Service Alliance

Donations of canned goods and non-perishable food, new and used unwrapped toys, soap, toothbrushes, blankets and warm clothing are requested. Donations may be made at any of these locations before Thursday: St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 311 W. South St., Anaheim; Anchor House for Families, 150 W. Avenida Pico, San Clemente; Episcopal Service Alliance in Huntington Beach, 525 Main St., Huntington Beach; Episcopal Church of the Messiah, 614 N. Bush St., Santa Ana, or Martha House for Women, 275 S. Glassell St., Orange. Money donations may be dropped off or mailed to 28892 Marguerite Parkway, Suite 260, Mission Viejo 92692.

Holiday Hope--Health Care Agency, Volunteer Services

People who want to adopt a needy family, either personally or anonymously, and provide them with food and other necessities should call (714) 568-4422 or 568-4427. Money donations will be used for grocery store gift certificates. Checks should be made payable to Holiday Hope and mailed to or dropped off at 1440 E. 1st St., Suite 305, Santa Ana. Volunteers during daytime hours are needed.

Lutheran Social Services

Donations of canned goods and non-perishable food, new and wrapped toys, and money should be taken to 12432 9th St., Garden Grove. The deadline is Thursday. For information, call (714) 534-6450.

Operation Santa Claus

Orange County Social Services and the county’s Probation, Fire and Sheriff’s departments are sponsoring this charity drive. Donations of new and used unwrapped toys, clothes and blankets may be taken to the gymnasium at Orangewood Children’s Home, 401 The City Drive South, Orange, or any county fire station.

Orange County Rescue Mission

Money, food, toys, clothes and blankets are being accepted at the mission, 1901 W. Walnut St., Santa Ana, (714) 835-0499.

Salvation Army, Anaheim office

Donations of canned goods and non-perishable food, baby food, new and unwrapped toys, warm clothing and blankets may be taken to the agency’s central distribution site at Anaheim Plaza (near Three D Bed and Bath), 500 N. Euclid St., Anaheim. Money donations may be mailed or taken to the Salvation Army, 201 E. Cypress St., Anaheim 92805. Checks should be made payable to the Salvation Army. For information, call (714) 778-5460.

Share Our Selves (SOS)

People who want to “adopt” a needy family may call (714) 733-3682. Donations of non-perishable food, new and unwrapped toys and clothes may be taken to St. John’s Hall, 1015 Baker St., Costa Mesa, on Wednesday and Thursday. Checks may be dropped off or mailed to 661 Hamilton St., Costa Mesa 92627. Volunteers are also needed.

Toys for Tots

New, unwrapped toys may be donated at city-run fire department stations or the front gate of the Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro. Most toys will be distributed Monday, but donations will be accepted until Saturday. Call (714) 726-2627 or 723-2627 for the nearest location.