Giving Back

“We’re never really ahead but always one step behind,” says Tanya Oubre from the Westside Food Bank.

It is more and more difficult for many organizations to keep up with the needs of our community, and recent welfare and food stamp reforms have the potential to make matters worse.

But you can help. These organizations, which provide everything from food for the hungry to shelters for the abused or homeless, are grateful for any contributions you can make. Many have drop-off bins and pickup services.

“We really need baby clothes,” said a woman at Parents of Watts. Clothing, toys, toiletries, money and volunteers are also needed at many of the organizations listed here.

You can also organize your own food drive at your children’s school, your office or your place of worship.

CENTRAL LOS ANGELES

AIDS Project L.A.’s Necessities of Life Program: 1313 N. Vine St., Los Angeles, (213) 993-1586. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Canned goods, staples.

All People’s Christian Center: 822 E. 20th St., Los Angeles, (213) 747-6357. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Ask for Rudy or Sarita. All foods; canned goods and staples are preferred.

Bethany Emergency Services: 4975 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 661-8674. Thursday, 10 a.m. to noon. To schedule a different drop-off time, leave a message at (213) 662-4176. All foods.

Chrysalis Center: 516 S. Main St., Los Angeles, (213) 895-7777. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nonperishable foods.

Dolores Mission: 171 S. Gless St., Los Angeles, (213) 881-0039 or (213) 881-0032. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All foods.

Eastmont Community Center: 701 S. Hoefner Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 726-7998. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Canned foods and staples. The center also needs a refrigerator or freezer to store perishables.

El Centro del Pueblo: 840 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 482-9962. Ask for Fernando Chacon. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nonperishable foods.

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

First Church of the Nazarene of Los Angeles: 3401 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, (213) 385-6345. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All foods.

Fred Jordan Mission: 445 Towne Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 489-7763. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. All foods.

Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women: 267 N. Belmont Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 250-5241. Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All foods.

House of Ruth: Address confidential. Call to make arrangements. Los Angeles, (213) 266-4139. All foods.

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

LIFE (Love Is Feeding Everyone): 310 N. Fairfax Ave., 2nd floor above Great Western Bank. Los Angeles, (213) 936-0895. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nonperishable foods. Donations can also be dropped off at AFTRA, 5757 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 900, (213) 634-8100. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: 1734 E. 41st St., Los Angeles, (213) 234-3030. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All foods.

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

Los Angeles Youth Network: Call for address, Los Angeles, (213) 957-7756. Daily, 24 hours. Canned foods and staples.

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California: 4975 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 661-8674. Call to make arrangements. Canned goods and staples.

Midnight Mission: 396 S. Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, (213) 624-9258. Daily, 24 hours, but daytime delivery is preferred. All foods.

Pueblo Nuevo: 1724 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, (213) 483-2000. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturdays, deliver to Pueblo Nuevo thrift store at 1734 W. 7th St. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. All foods.

Rakestraw Memorial Center: 5139 S. Main St., Los Angeles, (213) 232-2258. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., or call for appointment. Nonperishable foods, except Tuesdays, when all foods are accepted.

St. Francis Center: 1835 S. Hope St., Los Angeles, (213) 747-5347. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All foods, though nonperishable foods preferred.

St. Vincent’s Cardinal Manning Center: 231 Winston St., Los Angeles, (213) 626-3744. Daily, 24 hours. Nonperishable foods.

Salvation Army, Harbor Light Center: 809 E. 5th St., Los Angeles, (213) 626-4786. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m to 4 p.m. Nonperishable foods.

Transition House: 543 S. Crocker St., Los Angeles, (213) 622-7073. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. All foods.

Union Rescue Mission: 545 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, (213) 628-6103. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Deliver directly to the loading dock. At other hours, delivery can be made by entering gated driveway off 6th Street; security will accept donations. All foods.

PASADENA/SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

Arcadia Welfare & Thrift: 323 N. 1st Ave., Arcadia, (818) 447-2881. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nonperishable foods.

Community Food Bank: 2021 W. Alwood St. (Willowood School building). West Covina, (818) 814-2862. Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nonperishable foods.

Delhaven Community Center: 15135 Fairgrove, La Puente, (818) 917-9789. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nonperishable foods.

El Monte-South El Monte Emergency Resources Assn.: 2645 Lee Ave., No. 6, El Monte. (818) 444-7269. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call to schedule off-hours delivery. All foods.

Helping Hand, First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena: 3700 Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena, (818) 351-9631. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nonperishable foods.

People for People: 860 E. Mission Drive, San Gabriel, (818) 285-2549. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Canned foods, staples.

Pomona Valley Council of Churches Hunger Program, Beta Center: 1095 W. Grand Ave., Pomona, (909) 622-3806. Monday-Friday, 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Other collection locations: First Christian Church of Pomona, 1753 North Park Ave., Pomona, Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. West End Hunger Program, SOVA (Feed the Hungry); 635 S. Taylor Ave., Ontario; San Dimas site, 110 E. 3rd St., San Dimas (no telephone), Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 2 to 4 p.m. Nonperishable foods.

St. John Vianney: 1345 Turnball Canyon Road, Hacienda Heights, (626) 330-2269, Ext. 124. Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. All foods.

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

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

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Burbank Temporary Aid Center: 1304 W. Burbank Blvd., (818) 846-2330. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. All foods, especially turkeys and hams.

Guadalupe Center: 21600 Hart St., Canoga Park, (818) 340-2050. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment. Canned foods and staples.

Loaves and Fishes: Glendale Community Center, 229 S. Orange St., Glendale, (818) 247-8196. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Mornings are best. Nonperishable foods.

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

North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry: 4390 Colfax Ave., North Hollywood, (818) 760-3575. Monday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nonperishable foods.

SOVA (Feed the Hungry): 6027 1/2 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana, (818) 342-1320. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to noon; and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to noon. All foods.

SOUTH BAY

Catholic Charities: 123 E. 14th St., Long Beach, (562) 591-1351. Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All foods.

Christian Outreach Appeal: 515 E. 3rd St., Long Beach, (562) 432-1440. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All foods.

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

Long Beach Rescue Mission: 1335 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, (562) 591-1292. Daily, 24 hours. All foods.

Rainbow Services Ltd.: 554 W. 7th St., San Pedro, (310) 548-5450. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nonperishable foods.

St. Margaret’s Center: 10505 Hawthorne Blvd., Hawthorne, (310) 672-2208. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All foods.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque: 25511 Eshelman Ave., Lomita, (310) 326-3364. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All foods.

St. Peter and Paul Poverty Program: 943 Lagoon Ave., Wilmington, (310) 834-5431. Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nonperishables and baby food.

Food Bank of Southern California: 1444 San Francisco Ave., Long Beach, (562) 435-3577. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All foods. Serves 240 food pantries throughout Los Angeles County.

Toberman Settlement House: 131 N. Grand Ave., San Pedro, (310) 832-1145. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All foods.

SOUTH-CENTRAL

Emergency Assistance Program: 1651 W. 162nd St., Gardena, (310) 217-9574. All food goes directly to Gardena residents. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nonperishable foods.

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

Human Services Assn.: 6800 E. Florence Ave., Bell Gardens, (562) 806-5400. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Canned foods.

Parents of Watts: 10828 Lou Dillon St., Los Angeles, (213) 566-7556 or (213) 566-4223. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All foods.

St. Cecilia Catholic Church: 4230 S. Normandie Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 294-6628. Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. All foods.

WESTSIDE

PATH (People Assisting the Homeless), 2346 Cotner Ave., Los Angeles, (310) 996-0034. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nonperishable foods.

Regis House: 11346 Iowa Ave., West Los Angeles, (310) 477-8168. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nonperishable foods.

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

SOVA (Feed the Hungry): 11852 Santa Monica Blvd., West Los Angeles, (310) 820-8868. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nonperishable foods. Also at 7563 1/2 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 932-1658. Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All foods.

West Side Food Bank: 612 Colorado Ave. (back of building), Santa Monica, (310) 314-1150, Ext. 0. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to noon. Nonperishables. Can call to arrange delivery of nonperishable and fresh foods at other times.

ORANGE COUNTY

Catholic Charities: 3631 W. Warner St., Santa Ana, (714) 668-1130. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nonperishable foods.

Episcopal Service Alliance: 800 S. Lemon St., Anaheim, (714) 776-7510. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All foods.

Ecumenical Service Alliance: 121 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente, (714) 492-8211. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All foods.

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

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

Orange County Rescue Mission: 1421 Edinger Ave., Suite B, Tustin. (714) 258-4450. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nonperishables.

Second Harvest Food Bank: 426-A W. Almond Ave., Orange, (714) 771-1343. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 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. to 7 p.m. All foods.

PALMDALE/LANCASTER

SAVES: 37925 Sierra Highway, Palmdale, (805) 267-5191. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All foods.

Grace Resources Inc., 44932 N. Yucca Ave., Suite B, Lancaster, (805) 940-5272. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nonperishable foods.

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY

Los Angeles County Community Services Center: 24271 San Fernando Road, Newhall, (805) 254-0070. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nonperishable foods any time; turkeys Dec. 22 to 24. Volunteers also needed.

SAN DIEGO AREA

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

Heartland Human Relations Assn.: 4710 4th St., Suite 500, La Mesa, (619) 464-7313 or (619) 460-2744. Call to schedule delivery. Canned foods and staples.

Horizon Christian Fellowship: 590 Fir St., San Diego, (619) 236-8150. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. All foods.

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

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

Salvation Army, Christmas Headquarters: 171 14th St., San Diego, (619) 231-3349. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Canned foods and staples. Call (619) 231-6000, Ext. 280, for other locations and for pickup service.

San Diego Food Bank: 2285 Decatur St., San Diego, (619) 523-8811, Ext. 25. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. All foods. Also can refer to other feeding programs throughout San Diego County.

San Diego Rescue Mission: 1300 L St., San Diego, (619) 687-3720, Ext. 10, to arrange pickup or delivery. All foods.

* To be added to this list for future publication, send information to Food Donation List, Food Section, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or fax to (213) 237-7355. Include contact phone number. No phone calls, please .

--Compiled by JANET McCRACKEN