Faith United Methodist Church and AIDS Project...

Faith United Methodist Church and AIDS Project Los Angeles have joined forces to create the Imani Unidos AIDS Project Food Pantry in the South-Central Los Angeles church.

“There is nothing in South-Central like this,” said the Rev. Andrew Robinson-Gaither, the church’s pastor. The pantry, which has been open almost two months, primarily serves the African-American and Latino communities and was the result of a community effort that crossed a number of ethnic lines.

“I challenged our congregation to come up with a project that would make a difference in people’s day-to-day lives,” Robinson-Gaither said. “And I challenged APLA to come south.”

The community effort did not stop there. A Korean-American church was among the first to deliver a carload of donated food. Gentlemen Concerned, a foundation supported by African-Americans, donated $10,000 in start-up costs. The AIDS Fund of the Los Angeles District of the United Methodist Church gave $5,000. TransAmerica Corp. pledged $20,000 as a challenge grant. About $50,000 in federal emergency relief funds came through the Ryan White Care Act. Supplies arrived from churches around Southern California, some of which have pledged to hold regular food drives.

Since opening Sept. 15, Imani (the Ki-Swahili word for faith) Unidos (Spanish for united) has provided 100 bags of food and personal care items to a dozen needy people in the neighborhood.

Program manager Antonio D. Le Mons said the pantry, open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, can handle 100 clients immediately. He anticipates that capacity could reach 200 in a year.

“At first I couldn’t understand why we weren’t immediately flooded with applicants,” said Le Mons, who has contacted caseworkers for many AIDS organizations. “But the agencies handling AIDS cases are overloaded with paperwork and many of the clients haven’t heard about us yet.”

The pantry serves clients of AIDS Project Los Angeles, Minority AIDS Project, Watts Health Foundation, Los Angeles Pediatric AIDS Network, El Centro Milagros AIDS Project and Aid for AIDS. Individuals may also apply. To be eligible, a person must be a Los Angeles County resident earning $700 or less monthly and must have AIDS or be HIV-positive and show symptoms of the disease.

Imani Unidos AIDS Project Food Pantry needs volunteers to help stock shelves and distribute groceries. The address is 1713 W. 108th St. Information: (213) 754-2320.

DATES

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joy Picus will present a plaque of recognition to retired Air Force Lt. Colonel Betty Jane Williams of Woodland Hills at a Veterans Day tribute at Encino Community Church at 11 a.m. Sunday. Williams served as a pilot in the Women in the Air Force service in World War II. Her Air Force Reserves career spanned 28 years. All veterans are invited. A reception follows. The address is 5955 Lindley Ave., Tarzana (818) 345-8085.

The Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Western Jurisdiction, holds its annual meeting Friday and Saturday at Faith United Methodist Church, 1713 W. 108th St., Los Angeles. (213) 754-8453.

A free dine and learn program for Jewish adults will be given weekly at Temple B’nai Hayim, beginning Tuesday. Dinner and discussion about Judaism begins at 6:15 p.m. A workshop on reading a Hebrew prayer book is offered from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Baby-sitting and study hall will be offered for children. The address is 4302 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 788-4664.

Author and teacher Deborah E. Lipstadt is the first speaker in the Handgriff Memorial Lecture Series at Beth Shir Shalom in Santa Monica. As scholar in residence Friday through Sunday, she will discuss values in Jewish society, concepts of holiness and the contemporary Jewish community. Tickets are $22, $18 for seniors. The address is 1827 California Ave. (310) 453-3361.

Mary Fisher, the HIV-positive artist who spoke at the Republican Convention, will talk about living with AIDS at the 11 a.m. service Sunday at the Church of the Valley in Van Nuys. Fisher was recently appointed by President Bush to replace Earvin (Magic) Johnson on the National Commission on AIDS. The address is 6565 Vesper Ave. (818) 786-4070.

Holy Redeemer School in Montrose holds its annual boutique and bake sale today and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reasonably priced baked goods and many handmade crafts will be offered. The address is 2411 Montrose Ave. (818) 249-5226.

WORSHIP

Rabbi Neal Weinberg, director of the Introduction to Judaism program at the University of Judaism, leads special participatory Saturday services, called the Family Minyan, at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 14, Dec. 12 and Jan. 16 at Sinai Temple.

The temple holds an inter-synagogue dinner for singles at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by Sabbath evening services. The address is 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Dinner reservations must be made by Wednesday. (310) 474-1518.

Branch Tabernacle Life Fellowship, formerly of Colton, announces a worship schedule for its new location in Rialto. Services are Sundays at 11 a.m. and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. Bible study meets Tuesdays at 7:30. The address is 225 S. Olive St., Rialto (714) 425-0208.

SCHOLARSHIP

The National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles is offering the Bernice Simon Memorial Scholarship, a one-time grant of $500 to a woman 35 or older for whom the opportunity to further or complete education or vocational training will lead to economic independence. The scholarship is awarded on a non-sectarian basis.

Deadline for completed applications is April 1. For information send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Bernice Simon Memorial Scholarship Fund, NCJW/LA, 543 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036.

CONCERTS

The South Coast Ecumenical Council presents its 15th annual Festival of Choirs Benefit Concert, honoring the Rev. Lester Kim, at 3 p.m. Sunday. Four choirs will perform. Donations accepted. The address is Lakewood First Presbyterian Church, 3955 Studebaker Rd., Long Beach. (310) 595-0268.

The Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship inaugurates a monthly spiritual meditation hour and concert of recorded music Wednesday at 11 a.m. The program features anthems, spirituals and gospel selections by the church’s choir and soloists on the second Wednesday of each month. Admission and parking are free. A fellowship luncheon follows. Tickets are $8. The address is 2085 S. Hobart Blvd., Los Angeles. For lunch reservations, phone (213) 731-8869.

GRANTS

Loyola Marymount University recently received a $2-million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to be used for constructing and equipping the three-story Conrad N. Hilton Business Center at the university. The grant follows another Hilton grant of $2 million for the building and $500,000 for a professorship in business ethics.

A grant of $1.5 million from the Fletcher Jones Foundation will endow and establish the Fletcher Jones Chair in the English department.

Please address notices to: Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Calif., 90053. To receive consideration, an item must be brief and arrive at least three weeks before the event.