GARDEN GROVE : Churches Jointly Aid Recession Victims

Twelve Garden Grove churches have formed a “Bread of Life” congregation to step up food contributions and emergency aid to the homeless and the hungry, whose numbers are growing because of tough economic times, officials said.

The churches will distribute emergency assistance through Salvation Army and Lutheran Social Services offices that need food, money and volunteers to keep up with demand, officials said.

The churches plan to branch out to provide groceries to families, pay utility bills, help out on rent, serve as case workers and collect diapers, one of the most urgent needs because many of the local poor don’t have washing machines, officials said.

“It’s reached the point where we’ve got to work together,” said Peter Larson, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Garden Grove. “As Christians, we are joining hands and hearts to try and deal with the impact of this recession.”

Larson said churches have been hit by “huge increases” in the number of people seeking help. Some have been overwhelmed and have shut their doors to the needy or cut back their assistance, he said.

Karren Schaeffer of Lutheran Social Services said that her Garden Grove office last year helped 26,000 people, many more than in the past, and that demand is up this year.

Some of the local churches formed a coalition three years ago to serve hot meals in the Real Help program. Coalition members started at 17 meals and climbed to a high of 202 on a recent day. They have served more than 45,000 meals in all.

Churches participating in the Bread of Life coalition along with First Presbyterian are Garden Grove Friends Church, Crystal Cathedral, Living Springs, United Methodist, St. Olaf’s Lutheran, St. Columban’s, Faith United Church of Christ, St. Anselm’s Episcopal, First Christian, Our Redeemer Lutheran and Chapman Avenue Baptist.