Helping the Needy at Christmas
Hundreds of organizations will be distributing toys, clothes and food to the needy and underprivileged throughout Los Angeles County. Here is a list of some of those organizations:
The Salvation Army is sponsoring a program that allows a donor to give a personalized gift. Names of the needy can be selected at the Glendale Galleria and the Cerritos and Del Amo malls by picking an angel from an “Angel Tree” with the name of a recipient and his or her age, clothing size and other information. For information, call (213) 627-5571.
Covenant House California, a shelter that serves at least 28,000 young runaways a year, is collecting new underwear for boys and girls, as well as toothbrushes, shampoo, blankets, warm jackets and toys. Call (213) 461-3131.
Any Kind Check Cashing Centers Inc. and Golf N’ Stuff are collecting non-perishable food items, unwrapped toys and children’s clothing for three Los Angeles County charities: St. Francis Home, House of Ruth Women’s and Children’s Shelter and the Faithful Central Missionary Baptist Church. Call (310) 427-9045 or (213) 745-8943.
Goodwill Industries of Southern California needs used but usable household goods for its job training programs. People with disabilities and other barriers to employment recycle the items, preparing them for resale in Goodwill thrift shops. Proceeds fund rehabilitation and placement services for employees and pay their wages. To schedule home pickup of clothing, toys or small appliances or for the nearest donation station, call (213) 222-5131.
The Crenshaw branches of Great Western Bank and American Savings Bank are collecting toys for the Sickle Cell Disease Research Foundation. Toys can be dropped off at Great Western Bank, 4401 Crenshaw Blvd.; American Savings Bank, 3775 Santa Rosalia Drive, and the Sickle Cell Disease Research Foundation, 4401 Crenshaw Blvd., Suite 208. For information, call (213) 299-3600.
The Brothers of Charity are collecting new socks and T-shirts in adult sizes and other types of clothing for their Nuestro Hogar drop-in center for homeless males under age 21. The center is at 1519 Cambria St., Los Angeles, west of the Harbor Freeway and one block south of 7th and Union streets. Call (213) 251-9707.
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank supplies more than 600 agencies that feed more than 250,000 people a week. Anyone wishing to donate food items will be referred to a local agency by calling (213) 234-3030.
The Union Station Foundation is sponsoring “Dinner in the Park” on Christmas Day for the homeless in the Pasadena area. Groups or individuals are asked to bring prepared food in disposable containers to Central Park at Fair Oaks Avenue and Del Mar Boulevard by 11 a.m. Volunteers are needed to play games with children, sing Christmas carols, serve food and clean up. For information, call (818) 449-4596.
Toys for Tots, sponsored by the U. S. Marine Corps Reserves, collected more than 8 million toys last year for needy children, and organizers hope to exceed that goal this year. Donations of unwrapped toys can be dropped off at Chief Auto Parts stores, Norwest Financial branch offices or at Pierce Bros. Smith & Salsbury Mortuary, 10865 Washington Blvd., Culver City.
Shelter Partnership is sponsoring an “Our Wish List” project to fill homeless agencies’ and shelters’ wishes for such items as refrigerators, freezers and computers. People who want to volunteer their services, fill a wish or donate clothing, food and other items can call (213) SHELTER.
M.E.N.D. (Meet Each Need with Dignity), a social service agency in the northeast San Fernando Valley, is providing Christmas baskets of food, toys and blankets for 1,200 needy families. Contributions of non-perishable food items, turkeys or hams and new toys can be dropped off at the packing center at Fiesta Plaza, 12800 Foothill Blvd., Unit B, Sylmar. To adopt a family or volunteer to wrap, pack or make deliveries, call (818) 896-0246.
The Continental Coin & Jewelry Corp. is collecting toys for children who have been helped by the L. A. Housing Corp.’s Trudy and Norman Louis Valley Shelter in North Hollywood. The shelter helps provide new starts for homeless families. Donations can be dropped off at 5627 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, or call Gordon O’Rourke at (818) 781-4232.
St. Joseph Center, a social service agency serving low-income and homeless men, women and children, is collecting non-perishable food, toys, diapers and warm clothing. To donate or volunteer, call (310) 396-6468.
The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Crisis Relief Division will distribute toys, clothes and food to needy families throughout Los Angeles. New toys and holiday food items will be donated to community centers and churches hardest hit by the spring civil unrest. For information, call (213) 381-5611.
In celebration of its first anniversary, New Hope Unlimited Horizons will serve a complete meal with live entertainment on Christmas Eve beginning at 1 p.m. in the Christian Outreach Appeal facilities, 515 E. 3rd St., Long Beach. To donate or volunteer, contact Tishan Radcliffe at (310) 809-1034.