Quake Relief Projects Help Residents and Businesses

Two forms of relief were set up last week in Southwest Los Angeles to aid individuals and businesses still in need after the Jan. 17 earthquake.

West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Jefferson Park joined forces with the Salvation Army to set up a disaster relief center for displaced individuals and families at the church-owned 20th Century Plastics building at 3628 Crenshaw Blvd. West Angeles communications director James Thomas said the timing of the joint venture could not have been better.

“We’ve seen so many first-timers since the quake,” Thomas said. “Fortunately, the Salvation Army happened to hear we were concerned with helping people in Central L.A., and they got together with us. They have the resources, we have the space. It was ideal.”

Thomas said the center, which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, anticipates being open for at least another week. Volunteers distribute food, blankets and sleeping bags.

To aid small businesses, Operation Hope announced last week a program that will give businesses office furniture and supplies lost or damaged in the quake. Called the OHLA In-Kind Mini-Grant program, the project awards grants for up to $5,000 worth of chairs, desks, file cabinets, typewriters, fax machines and other equipment.

Processing centers are at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in West Adams, the San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Korean Youth Community Center in Mid-Wilshire and El Centro Pueblo in Echo Park.

Applicants must have had earthquake-related damage, be underinsured or demonstrate a need.