‘Tis the Season for Sharing : Charities: Where to give gifts for the needy; agencies throughout the Southland are accepting donations.

This is the time of year when it is better to give than to receive. If you want to share your wealth, you don’t have to go very far to find an organization willing to receive it. One of the following agencies is in your neighborhood--and would be very happy for gifts of food to share with the needy. Even the smallest donation will help. As one program director says: “Anything we get is more than what we had before.”

We’re presenting this listing during the holiday season, but the needs of these agencies never end. So if time or money is tight right now, tuck the list away for later. Your contribution will be just as welcome during the rest of the year.

And if you are planning on helping out this season, please do so quickly. Many of the agencies we spoke with lamented the fact that people often save their generosity until Christmas Eve--which is the very time when agencies are busy distributing the bounty.

CENTRAL LOS ANGELES

AIDS Project L.A.’s Necessities of Life Food Program: 6721 Romaine St., Hollywood; (213) 962-1600; Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned goods and staples.

All People’s Christian Center: 822 E. 20th St., Los Angeles, (213) 747-6357; Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Will accept gifts of turkeys only.

Chrysalis Center: 702 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, (213) 623-9394; Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-noon. Non-perishable foods.

Dolores Mission: 171 S. Gless St., Los Angeles, (213) 262-2397; Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. All foods.

Don Basco Society of Hollywood: (213) 462-4224, will refer to delivery location; every day noon-midnight. Canned foods, staples.

Eastmont Community Center: 701 S. Hoefner Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 726-8071; Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

El Centro Del Pueblo: 840 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 250-1120; Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

El Rescate (The Rescue): 2675 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 387-3284; Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods and staples.

Fred Jordan Mission: 445 Towne Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 850-1677 and (818) 915-1981; Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Canned foods and staples.

Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women: 267 N. Belmont Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 250-5241; every day 9 a.m.-5 p.m., or call to make make special arrangements. Canned foods and staples.

House of Ruth: 605 N. Cummings St., Los Angeles, (213) 266-4139; Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Canned foods and staples.

Las Familias del Pueblo: 307 E. 7th St., Los Angeles, (213) 614-1745; Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Canned foods and staples.

LIFE (Love Is Feeding Everyone): 310 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 936-0895; headquarters for three offices in Los Angeles. Will accept non-perishable foods, Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call for referral to closest location.

Los Angeles Catholic Worker: 821 E. 6th St., Los Angeles, (213) 972-9656; Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-1 p.m. All foods.

Los Angeles Mission: 443 S. Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, (213) 629-1227; Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. All foods.

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California: 4445 Burns Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 661-8674; Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All foods.

Project Angel Food: 1296 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 656-9615; Sunday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Fresh produce, canned goods (large sizes); call first.

Plaza Community Center: 648 S. Indiana St., Los Angeles, (213) 268-1107; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All foods (rice, beans).

Rakestraw Memorial Center: 5139 S. Main St., Los Angeles, (213) 232-2258; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

Saint Francis Center: 1203 S. Santee St., Los Angeles, (213) 747-5347; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed noon to 1:30 p.m.) All foods.

Saint Martin de Porres Community Center: 4213 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, (213) 234-9087; Monday through Friday, 1-5 p.m. Non-perishable foods.

Saint Vincent de Paul’s Men’s Center: 231 Winston St., Los Angeles, (213) 626-3744; Sunday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. All foods.

Salvation Army, Harbor Light Center: 809 E. 5th St., Los Angeles, (213) 626-4786. Will accept donations every day, 24 hours. All foods.

Midnight Mission: 396 S. Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, (213) 624-9258. Will accept donations every day, 24 hours. All foods.

The Seedling: 6314 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, (213) 753-7218; Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:15 a.m.-noon and 1:15-4 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.-noon. All foods, baby foods and formula.

Transition House: 543 S. Crocker St., Los Angeles, (213) 622-7073; Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

Union Rescue Mission: 226 S. Main St., Los Angeles, (213) 628-6103; Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Not necessary to park; security at front door will accept donations. All foods.

United American Indian Involvement-Crisis Center: 118 Winston St., Los Angeles, (213) 625-2565; Tuesday through Saturday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Youth With a Mission: 1751 N. Normandie Ave., Hollywood, (213) 660-6040; Every day 8 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

PASADENA/SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

Arcadia Welfare & Thrift: 323 North 1st Ave., Arcadia, (818) 447-6864; Monday through Friday, 3-5 p.m. Donations marked “Attention: Mary” may be left at thrift shop. All foods.

Community Food Bank: 1501 W. Del Norte St., Room 21, West Covina, (818) 814-2862; Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Delhaven Community Center: 15135 Fairgrove, La Puente, (818) 917-9789; Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California Hill House: 529 N. Hill St., Pasadena, (818) 578-9989. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. All foods.

People for People: 860 E. Mission Drive, San Gabriel, (818) 285-2549; Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Canned foods, staples.

Pomona Valley Council of Churches Hunger Program: 1753 N. Park Ave., Pomona, (714) 623-1031; Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Other collection locations: West End Hunger Program--SOVA, 635 S. Taylor Ave., Ontario; Beta Center, 1095 W. Grand Ave., Pomona; Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Canned and frozen food, uncooked staples.

Union Station: 412 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, (818) 449-4596; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Large, non-perishable canned or packaged foods.

YWCA-WINGS: 101 N. Citrus Ave., Covina, (818) 915-5191; call before making delivery; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods, clothing and toys.

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Burbank Temporary Aid Center: 1620 W. Magnolia, Burbank, (818) 846-2330; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples.

Guadalupe Center: 21600 Hart St., Canoga Park, (818) 340-2050; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples and baby food and baby clothes.

Loaves and Fishes: 229 S. Orange St., Glendale, (818) 247-8215; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples.

MEND: 13460 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima, (818) 896-0246; Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. All foods, clothing and blankets.

SOUTH BAY

Catholic Charities: 123 East 14th St., Long Beach, (213) 591-1351; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods, warm clothing, socks and blankets.

Christian Outreach Appeal: 515 East 3rd St., Long Beach, (213) 432-1440; Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

House of Yahweh: 4330 West 147th St., Lawndale, (213) 675-1384; Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. All foods.

Long Beach Community Services Development Corp.: 2179 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, (213) 437-0681; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples, turkeys.

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California: 8517 11th Ave., Inglewood, (213) 758-6842; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Rainbow Services Ltd.: 421 West 6th St., San Pedro, (213) 548-5450; Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque: 25511 Eshelman Ave., Lomita, (213) 326-3364; Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. All foods.

St. Peter and Paul Poverty Program: 943 Lagoon Ave., Wilmington, (213) 834-5431; everyday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater South Bay: 1444 San Francisco Ave., Long Beach, (213) 435-3577; Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. All foods. Services 175 food pantries throughout shoreline communities--will refer to other locations.

Sisters of Charity of Rolling Hills: 28600 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills, (213) 831-4104; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Canned and non-perishable foods.

Toberman Settlement House: 131 N. Grand Ave., San Pedro, (213) 831-3940; Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed 12:30-1:30 p.m.) All foods.

SOUTH CENTRAL

Emergency Assistance Program c/o Human Services of the City of Gardena: 1651 West 162 St., Gardena, (213) 217-9574; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods, but preferably prepared foods in small serving sizes.

Helpers for the Homeless and Hungry Program: 2513 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 299-8670; Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Human Services Assn.: Bell Gardens Community Center, 5856 Ludell St., Bell Gardens, (213) 773-3911; Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. All foods.

L.A. County Dept. of Public Social Services Compton: (213) 603-8405, 603-8406 (They will give nearest address when you call); Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

Parents of Watts: 10828 Lou Dillon St., Los Angeles, (213) 566-7556; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All foods.

Wesley Social Service Center: 8317 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 751-5128; Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Westminster Neighborhood Assn.: 1776 E. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 564-4579; Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. All foods.

WESTSIDE

PATH: 3756 Overland Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 558-4295; Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. All foods.

Regis House: 11346 Iowa Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 477-8168; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. All foods.

St. Joseph Center: 204 Hampton Drive, Venice, (213) 392-5101 or (213) 396-6468; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Canned foods, staples.

SOVA (Feed the Hungry): 11852 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, (213) 820-8868; Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. All non-perishable foods.

ORANGE COUNTY

Catholic Charities: 2829 West 1st St., Santa Ana, (714) 547-0003 or (714) 543-3924; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. All foods.

Hope House: 714 N. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, (714) 776-7490 or (714) 776-6090; everyday, 24 hours. All foods.

Lutheran Social Services: 12432 9th St., Garden Grove, (714) 534-6450; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. All foods.

Orange County Rescue Mission: 1901 W. Walnut St., Santa Ana, (714) 835-0499; everyday, 24 hours. All foods.

St. Vincent de Paul Food Distribution Center: 426-A W. Almond St., Orange, (714) 771-1343; Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Canned foods, staples, turkeys. Also can refer to 192 other locations throughout Orange County.

Share Our Selves: 661 Hamilton St., Costa Mesa, (714) 642-3451; Monday through Friday, 9a.m.-3 p.m. All foods.

Sunshine Outreach Inc.: 24000 Avila Road, Laguna Niguel, (714) 831-6199; Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.-noon. Receptacle in east lobby of building for canned goods and staples.

Sunshine Outreach Inc., collection locations: Sewing Shanty, 21508-C Marguerite Pkwy., Mission Viejo; Threadgraphics, 27601 Forbes Road, No.29, Three Flag Center, Laguna Niguel; Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., through Dec. 22. Canned goods and staples; also toys, toiletries and money.

PALMDALE

SAVES: 38513 6th St. East, Palmdale, (805) 273-6470; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY

Los Angeles County Community Services Center: 24271 San Fernando Road, Newhall, (805) 254-0070; Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

SAN DIEGO

Catholic Charities: 349 Cedar St., San Diego, (619) 231-2828; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods and staples.

Heartland Human Relations Assn.: 7435 University Ave., Suite 202, La Mesa, (619) 464-7313 or (619) 460-2812; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Canned foods, staples. Also can refer to other locations throughout east county.

Horizon Christian Fellowship: 5331 Mount Alifan Drive, San Diego, (619) 277-4991; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples.

Lutheran Social Services: 1420 3rd Ave., San Diego, (619) 232-7388; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call ahead. Canned foods and staples. Also can refer to two other locations.

Lutheran Social Services, Project Hand: 580 Hilltop Drive, Chula Vista, (619) 425-4061; Monday through Friday. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call ahead. Canned food, staples.

Salvation Army, Christmas Headquarters: 535 Robinson St., San Diego, (619) 239-8027 or (619) 491-0063; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Canned foods, staples. Also can refer to other locations throughout San Diego area.

San Diego Food Bank: 4520 Federal Building, Suite A, San Diego, (619) 263-3663; Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples. Also can refer to other feeding programs throughout San Diego County.

San Diego Life Ministries: 1150 J St., San Diego, (619) 234-2109; everyday, 24 hours. All foods.

SHARE: 3350 E St., San Diego, (619) 525-2200; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples or $13 donation to sponsor a family food package.

Spring Valley Youth & Family Service: 9035 Campo Road, Spring Valley, (619) 469-0146; Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.