Special Deliveries : Charities: Where to donate gifts for the needy; agencies throughout the Southland are accepting contributions.

John Knapp has been with the Southern California Food Bank for seven years and has never seen things so bad.

“We’ve had increases in requests for food go up 25% or more in the last year,” he says, “and most of that is senior citizens and single mothers with children. We are seeing a tremendous increase in need.”

Knapp estimates that 70% of the 4.5 million people his organization serves every year are children and another 15% senior citizens. “It’s devastating what’s going on,” he says.

As great as the need for food items, Knapp emphasizes that food banks need money, too. “With our food bank, money is the biggest concern,” he says. If you provide $1 of money for support, we can provide $45 worth of food.”

CENTRAL LOS ANGELES

AIDS Project L.A.’s Necessities of Life Program: 6721 Romaine St., Hollywood; (213) 962-1600, Ext. 180; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Canned goods, staples.

All People’s Christian Center: 822 East 20th St., Los Angeles, (213) 747-6357; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Canned goods, staples.

Chrysalis Center: 516 S. Main St., Los Angeles, (213) 895-7777; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday, 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.-5 p.m. All foods.

Eastmont Community Center: 701 S. Hoefner Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 726-7998; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

El Centro Del Pueblo: 1157 LeMoyne St., Los Angeles, (213) 483-6335; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

El Rescate (The Rescue): 1340 S. Bonnie Brae St., Los Angeles, (213) 387-3284; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples.

Fred Jordan Mission: 445 Towne Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 489-7763 and (818) 915-1981; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Canned foods, 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, staples.

House of Ruth: 605 N. Cummings St., Los Angeles, (213) 266-4139; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Canned foods, staples.

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

LIFE (Love Is Feeding Everyone): 310 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 936-0895; headquarters for two offices in Los Angeles. Will accept non-perishable foods, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at 2040 Hawkins Circle, Huntington Park.

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: 1734 East 41st St., Los Angeles, (213) 234-3030; Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. All foods. Can also refer to more than 550 other agencies throughout L.A. County.

Los Angeles Mission: 303 East 5th St., Los Angeles, (213) 629-1227; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. All foods, clothing and furniture.

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California: 4975 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 661-8674; Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Canned goods, staples.

Project Angel Food: 1296 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 656-9615; Sunday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Non-perishable foods, in quantity.

Plaza Community Center: 648 S. Indiana St., Los Angeles, (213) 268-1107; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All foods, except frozen products.

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

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

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

Salvation Army, Harbor Light Center: 809 East 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, but daytime delivery is preferred. All foods.

The Seedling: 6314 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, (213) 753-7218; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods, baby foods, formula.

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

Union Rescue Mission: 226 S. Main St., Los Angeles, (213) 628-6103; accepts donations daily, 24 hours. 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-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) 447-2881; Monday-Friday, 9-5 p.m. Non-perishable foods.

Community Food Bank: 1501 W. Del Norte St., Room 21, West Covina, (818) 814-2862; Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Non-perishable foods.

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

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

Pomona Valley Council of Churches Hunger Program: Beta Center, 1095 W. Grand Ave., Pomona, (714) 622-7278; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. Other collection locations: West End Hunger Program--SOVA, 635 S. Taylor Ave., Ontario; San Dimas Site, 110 East 3rd Ave., San Dimas (no telephone), open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 2-4 p.m. Canned and frozen food, uncooked staples.

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

YWCA-WINGS: 631 S. Eremland Ave., Covina, (818) 915-5191; call before making delivery; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods, clothing, toys.

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Burbank Temporary Aid Center: 1304 W. Burbank Blvd., (818) 846-2330; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples.

Guadalupe Center: 21600 Hart St., Canoga Park, (818) 340-2050; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., or by appointment. Canned foods, staples, baby food, baby clothes.

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

MEND: 13460 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima, (818) 896-0246; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods, clothing, blankets.

SOUTH BAY

Catholic Charities: 123 East 14th St., Long Beach, (310) 591-1351; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods, warm clothing, socks, blankets.

Christian Outreach Appeal: 515 East 3rd St., Long Beach, (310) 432-1440; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

House of Yahweh: 4430 West 147th St., Lawndale, (310) 675-1384; Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. All foods.

Long Beach Community Services Development Corp.: 2179 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, (310) 437-0681; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples, turkeys.

Long Beach Rescue Mission: 1335 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, (310) 591-1292; every day, anytime, just call first. All foods.

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California: 4632 W. Century Blvd., Inglewood, (310) 672-8011; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Rainbow Services Ltd.: 567 West 6th St., San Pedro, (310) 548-5450; Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque: 25511 Eshelman Ave., Lomita, (310) 326-3364; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. All foods.

St. Peter and Paul Poverty Program: 943 Lagoon Ave., Wilmington, (310) 834-5431; every day, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Food Bank of Southern California: 1444 San Francisco Ave., Long Beach, (310) 435-3577; Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. All foods. Services 240 food pantries throughout Los Angeles County.

Sisters of Charity of Rolling Hills: 28600 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills, (310) 831-4104; every day, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. All foods.

Toberman Settlement House: 131 N. Grand Ave., San Pedro, (310) 832-1145; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 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 162nd St., Gardena, (310) 217-9574; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Staples, vouchers--no perishables.

Helpers for the Homeless and Hungry Program: 2513-29 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 299-8670; Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Human Services Assn.: 6800 E. Florence Ave., Bell Gardens, (310) 806-5400; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Canned foods.

Parents of Watts: 10828 Lou Dillon St., Los Angeles, (213) 566-7556; Monday-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-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Westminster Neighborhood Assn.: 1776 E. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 564-4579; Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Foods, no perishables.

WESTSIDE

PATH: 3756 Overland Ave., Los Angeles, (310) 558-4295; Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. All foods.

Regis House: 11346 Iowa Ave., West Los Angeles, (310) 477-8168; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Canned foods, non-perishables. (Will accept perishable items with advance notice.)

St. Joseph Center: 204 Hampton Drive, Venice, (310) 392-5101 or (310) 396-6468; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Canned foods, staples.

SOVA (Feed the Hungry): 11852 Santa Monica Blvd., West Los Angeles, (310) 820-8868; Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Non-perishable foods. Beverly location: 7563 1/2 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 932-1658.

ORANGE COUNTY

Catholic Charities: 2829 West 1st St., Santa Ana, (714) 543-3924; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m. Non-perishable foods.

Hope House: 714 N. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, (714) 776-7490; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

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

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

St. Vincent de Paul Food Distribution Center: 426-A W. Almond Ave., Orange, (714) 771-1343; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Canned foods, staples, turkeys. Also can refer to 241 other locations throughout Orange County.

Share Our Selves: 1550 Superior Ave., Costa Mesa, (714) 642-3451; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. All foods.

PALMDALE

SAVES: 38513 6th St. East, Palmdale, (805) 273-6470; Monday-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-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Non-perishable foods, new toys only. Volunteers also needed.

SAN DIEGO AREA

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

Heartland Human Relations Assn.: 7435 University Ave., Suite 202, La Mesa, (619) 464-7313 or (619) 460-2744; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Canned foods, staples. Also can refer to other locations throughout East County.

Lutheran Social Services: 4354 Van Dyke Ave., San Diego; (619) 280-1328; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call ahead. Canned foods, staples, diapers and other hygiene products.

Lutheran Social Services, Project Hand: 580 Hilltop Drive, Chula Vista, (619) 425-4061; Monday-Friday. 9 a.m.-noon and 2-4:30 p.m. Canned food, staples.

Salvation Army, Christmas Headquarters: College Grove Plaza, Highway 94 and College Ave., no telephone; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Canned foods, staples. Request foods as soon as possible for distribution Dec. 17-24. Call other locations for drop-off sites: El Cajon (619) 440-4683; Escondido (619) 745-8616; Oceanside (619) 439-1021; Chula Vista (619) 422-7027.

San Diego Food Bank: 4520-A Federal Blvd., San Diego, (619) 263-3663; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples. Also can refer to other feeding programs throughout San Diego County.

San Diego Rescue Mission: 1150 J St., San Diego, (619) 234-2109; every day, 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m. All foods.

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

Spring Valley Youth & Family Services/La Presa Program: 9035 Campo Road, Spring Valley, (619) 469-0146; Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods and toys.