Countywide : Program Provides Shelter for Homeless

Homeless men, women and children who would typically spend winter nights camped on park benches, behind bushes or on the street will get a little extra help finding shelter this season.

The Armory Shelter Program, in its sixth year, is contracting with a bus service to ferry homeless people from designated stops in Orange County to armories in Santa Ana and Fullerton.

“It’s another component of the program,” said Maria Mendoza, homeless coordinator for the county. “It makes it more accessible to those who couldn’t get to either of the armories by walking there.”

Each National Guard armory, which resembles a large gymnasium, houses about 125 people a night and provides a change of clothes, a shower, a cot, blankets, a warm meal--even counselors and doctors, Mendoza said.

Such shelter is especially important during the winter months.

“They can find a place to sleep now, but it’s not appropriate when it’s 40 degrees or colder, or raining,” Mendoza said. “They need a place that is dry and warm.”

Thirteen counties across California use armories from Dec. 1 through March 31, depending on the weather.

This year in Orange County, they expect to feed about 500 people a day at the two armories, said Judy Kampmann, the volunteer recruiter for the Westminster Shelter for the Homeless. Kampmann, whose Westminster shelter can only place a few homeless people at a time, is helping the county organize its armory program and recruit much-needed volunteers.

Those who stay overnight at the armories will not be allowed to stay there during the day, however. The buses will pick up people each evening at the stops and return them the next morning at 7.

“The armories are not available during the day,” Mendoza said. “Some of the churches and nonprofits have places where the people could go, but it’s difficult. They carry their things with them, and there are some families.”

But Mendoza said the state plans to cut funding for the shelter program and stop the use of the state armories after next fall.

“The state doesn’t feel it’s a humane way to serve people,” she said. “What’s better, to sleep on the ground or to have a roof over your head? We try to provide as much comfort as possible--I feel to say it’s not available anymore is inhumane. Where else can we serve 125 people in one place?”

Mendoza said advocates for the homeless will continue to talk to state representatives, who she says are offering each county seed money to start new programs and have left it up to each county to find alternatives.

“But right now we can’t even start to think of alternatives,” she said.

Volunteers are needed at both armories: in Santa Ana, at 612 E. Warner Ave., and in Fullerton, at 400 S. Brookhurst St.

Donations of food, blankets, toiletries, sheets and towels also are needed. To volunteer or make donations, contact the Shelter for the Homeless in Westminster at (714) 897-3221.

Caring and Sharing In Orange County

Orange County shelters and soup kitchens are expecting large crowds during the cold-weather months, and organizers say the holiday season is an especially good time to give gifts, food or time to help the less fortunate. A look at what organizers need in donations this season: HOMELESS SHELTERS

Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter, Costa Mesa. Volunteers needed: to answer phones, perform basic building repairs. (714) 631-7213.

Orange County Rescue Mission, Santa Ana. Volunteers needed: Dec. 9 to sign up needy families for food boxes; Dec. 12, 13 to wrap gifts; Dec. 19 to distribute gifts; Dec. 25 to serve Christmas dinner. (714) 835-0499.

Shelter for the Homeless, facilities countywide. Volunteers needed: Friday through to Dec. 24 to wrap gifts at Westminster Mall booth days and evenings. Proceeds will go to the shelters. (714) 897-3221.

Irvine Temporary Housing, Irvine. Volunteers needed: to answer phones, prepare food and clothing for distribution. Donations needed: non-perishable food, paper goods and toiletries. (714) 250-7177.

Orange County Armory Program, Fullerton and Santa Ana. Volunteers needed: Dec.1 through March 31 to register, feed and clothe the homeless. (714) 897-3221.

Christian Temporary Housing Inc., Orange. Volunteers needed: those with basic home repair skills and experienced child-care skills; those with teaching experience needed to conduct workshops. Donations needed: combination VCR-television unit, word processor and printer, new carpet, children’s furniture, children’s backpacks, office supplies, use of a truck or van and classroom supplies. (714) 771-2969.

Friendship Shelter, Laguna Beach. Volunteers needed: to perform office work, routine building repair, coordinate food and clothing storage, provide transportation, run errands. Donations needed: alarm clocks, inexpensive watches, portable AM-FM radios. (714) 494-6928.

Salvation Army Hospitality House, Santa Ana. Volunteers needed: to pick up food from collection sites, solicit donations at shopping malls, pack and distribute food baskets and hand out toys. Donations needed: new toys, money, fax machine, answering machine, copier, coffee machine, office-sized refrigerator. (714) 546-7880.

Anchor House, San Clemente. Donations needed: non-perishable food, paper goods, cleaning supplies, diapers. (714) 492-5450.

Martha House, Orange. Donations needed: women’s clothing, cleaning supplies, office supplies, toiletries, cosmetics, sanitary pads, electrical appliances, kitchen items. (714) 639-5323.

YWCA Hotel for Women, Santa Ana. Volunteers needed: to prepare and serve dinner on Dec. 24 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Also, volunteer Santa Claus needed to distribute gifts. Donations needed: food, holiday decorations, Christmas gifts, word processor and printer, answering machine, VCR, typewriter, cleaning supplies. (714) 542-3577.

New Vista Shelter, Fullerton. Volunteers needed: to distribute groceries at its food distribution center. Donations needed: food, toys, blankets, cash, cleaning supplies, small appliances, kitchen items, Christmas gifts, Christmas decorations. (714) 738-0255.

MEAL PROGRAMS

Food in the Afternoon, Garden Grove. Offers free meals weekdays at local churches. Volunteers needed: to purchase, prepare and serve food. Donations needed: cash, institutional-sized canned goods, paper goods. (714) 534-6450.

Southwest Community Center, Santa Ana. Volunteers needed: to package food bags, wrap gifts, serve meals, sort clothing, serve dinner Dec. 25. (714) 547-4073.

Mary McAnena, Orange. Volunteers needed: to prepare and serve meals weekdays in W.O. Hart Park. Donations: food, paper goods, clothing, toiletries, toys, infant items. (714) 538-0513.

Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, Costa Mesa. Volunteers needed: to prepare and serve dinner Dec. 24 at Rea Community Center. Donations needed: toys, money, paper goods. (714) 646-8181.

BEST THINGS TO DONATE THIS YEAR

If you have something to donate, call the charitable group to determine need and to arrange delivery. Needs vary among organizations. Items that most charities are eager to receive this season:

Socks, underwear: For children, adults. Must be new, never used.

Toiletries: Shaving cream, disposable razors, soap, deodorant, sanitary pads, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, baby powder, denture cleanser, combs, hair brushes, nail clippers and lotion.

Clothing: Used OK, but must be clean and in good condition.

Infant items: Diapers, formula, diaper rash cream, baby powder, sleepers, booties, plastic baby bottles.

Sleeping bags: Must be in good condition.

Toys: New and used toys, children’s books. Broken toys or those with several parts missing are not acceptable.

Packaged and canned food: Vegetables, beans, fruit, meat, peanut butter, instant mashed potatoes, breakfast cereals, macaroni, rice, powdered milk, fruit and vegetable juices.

Paper goods: Cups, plates, napkins, utensils.

Non-prescription medications for adults, children: Pain relievers, liniment, antibiotic ointments, cold medication, elastic bandages, throat lozenges, tissues.

Blankets: Must be clean. Extremely worn blankets not acceptable.

Bicycles: Child and adult models.

Gift certificates: From fast-food chains, grocery and department stores.

Meat: Turkey, roast beef, ham, chicken, hamburger. These items are badly needed, but some shelters may not have adequate refrigeration space to store large amounts. Always call before donating anything perishable.

Wrapped Christmas gifts: Indicate on the tag if gift is for a male or female adult or child.

Also: Laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, towels and washcloths, bus coupon books, cash or checks made out to the charity, office supplies and equipment.

WHEN DONATING MONEY:

Ask the solicitor’s name and the name of the charity.

Get the charity’s federal tax I.D. number.

Ask to see a business permit.

Call the Registrar of Charitable Trusts at (916) 445-2021 to find out if the group is a registered charity.

GIVING IN ORANGE COUNTY

In 1991, the median Orange County household amount contributed to charity was $229, substantially the same as the $223 amount of a year earlier. Both were below the $285 median of 1989--the highest figure in five years.

Median Household Donation: ‘91: $229

1991 Giving

$100 or less: 33%

$101-$500: 38%

More than $500: 29%

1991 Giving by Income

$100 or Less

Less than $36,000: 57%

$36,000-$50,000: 30%

More than $50,000: 17%

$101-$500

Less than $36,000: 33%

$36,000-$50,000: 42%

More than $50,000: 39%

More than $500

Less than $36,000: 10%

$36,000-$50,000: 28%

More than $50,000: 44%

Source: Individual organizations; Orange County Annual Survey; UC Irvine

Complied by JANICE L. JONES / Los Angeles Times