REGION : Fund-Raiser to Aid the Hungry Planned

The Old Timers Foundation, a 31-year-old nonprofit social service agency serving meals and finding housing for senior citizens, is hosting a fund-raiser Thursday called “Need to Feed.”

Although it receives enough Los Angeles County funds to serve 490 meals a day, the foundation--with offices in Artesia, Bell, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Lynwood, Maywood and South Gate--needs additional money for the 1,000 meals it dispenses daily.

“That’s where the fund raising comes to play,” said project director Sandra Stanko, who is based at the Huntington Park office. “Obviously, there’s a need.”

Old Timers has an annual budget of about $1.8 million for its congregate meal and home-delivery programs. Its contract with the county amounts to about $800,000.

Amid financial constraints, the foundation has had to deny about 35 to 40 senior citizens a day, placing them on a waiting list until there’s money to feed them, Stanko said.

Organizers say the dinner and silent auction are expected to bring in $50,000 for the foundation.

Electronic goods, sporting event tickets, paid dinners at fine restaurants and weekend vacation packages will be auctioned at the Hawaiian luau-themed fund-raiser, which begins at 5 p.m. at the South Gate Park Auditorium.

“Every year we take a cut (from the federal government),” Stanko said, adding that the state and county have received less federal money over the years.

Information: (213) 589-7100.