Saddleback / South Beach : SOUTH COUNTY : Group Serves as Hub for Holiday Sharing

Before the holiday season, Saddleback Community Outreach is a single volunteer organization working to feed, clothe and house South County’s poor.

But come Thanksgiving and Christmas, the nonprofit group is a magnet for more than a dozen organizations that hold food drives to help almost 500 families served by Outreach during the holidays.

Donations come from all segments of South County society via truckloads of food and toys for families that otherwise would have no Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner and nothing under the tree for their children.

It took Outreach spokeswoman Nancy Snyder several moments to reply when asked what these contributions mean to the program.

“I’m trying to say this without getting emotional,” she said. “It is nothing but phenomenal, all the people who come together to make sure people have a Christmas.

“None of this would be possible if it wasn’t for the businesses, service organizations and churches that come together,” Snyder said, “not only during the holidays, but all year.”

Last year, local real estate agents brought in more than 30,000 cans of food. To help, contact the Saddleback Valley Board of Realtors at (714) 586-6800.

St. Nicholas Church in Lake Forest brought in almost a dozen 20-gallon drums filled with food and 500 toys last year. To assist that program, call (714) 837-7676.

The Church of Christ in Mission Viejo adopted 100 families last year, feeding them for a week at Christmastime. Food donations to the church can be made by calling (714) 459-8318.

National Bank in Lake Forest accepts non-perishable food items. Food contributions can be dropped off at 22831 Lake Forest Drive during the weekday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Several Aliso Viejo communities will take canned goods, including Eagle Pointe, The Hamptons, Key West, Laguna Vista, Pacific Grove, The Cape Series, Greystone Colony, Carmel, Coronado, The Vistas Above Wood Canyon, Provence d’Aliso, Windsong, The Windwards and Tivoli.

Food and toy donations can also be made at the Saddleback Community Outreach office, 23011 Moulton Parkway, Suite B-5, in Laguna Hills. For more information about Outreach programs, call (714) 380-8144.