Helping Hands

Truth be told, Canoga Park isn’t exactly Skid Row.

Many poor people around here have frontyards, or at least apartments. Some hold down a job or two (or three). And when Thanksgiving rolls around and the Guadalupe Community Center serves turkey dinner to all comers--as it did Thursday--many of those comers are just hard-working families taking a break from cooking.

“There’s not a ton of homeless people in the Valley,” said Debra Laski, a 31-year-old West Hills insurance agent, who organized Thursday’s event and also mashed the potatoes. “These are people who could use a hand. They just need a little help.”

Alicia Rivas brought three of her five children to the dinner for the first time Thursday.

“It’s a good day to see other people,” said Rivas, whose daughter was one of a young troupe of ballet folklorico dancers entertaining at the dinner. “The kids like the food.”

The Woodland Hills Optimist Club and the West Valley Police Activity League, a youth club organized by Los Angeles Police Department officers, sponsored the dinner. About 50 volunteers served 150 pounds of turkey and 60 pounds of cranberry sauce. LAPD Capt. Lee Carter estimated 500 people attended.

“This is our chance to give something back to the community,” Carter said.

Among the newest members of the community were Iosif, 82, and Ana Boian, 79, who arrived in the United States two weeks ago from Bucharest, Romania. After eating the dinner of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce the satiated pair sat outside watching children chase a basketball.

The Boians, who live with their daughter in the San Fernando Valley, said they were celebrating their first Thanksgiving at the center.

They only knew a little English, but the Boians seemed to have mastered a few key phrases.

“The food is good,” said Iosif, smiling broadly.

Donald Wood, one of the few homeless men at the dinner, agreed with Iosif.

“I can’t believe I ate as much as I did,” he said.

At first glance Wood would seem to have little to be thankful for. He has been on the street since May, when he said his roommate broke Wood’s arm and threw him out. Unable to move his arm properly, Wood lost his $18-per-hour construction job and began living off general relief. His arm still seems pinned to his side and he says he is barely able to lift it.

But Wood says he has found a tolerable living situation recently--he now sleeps with several other homeless men behind a produce store in Reseda. They look out for each other, he said, and the owner of the store doesn’t mind because they keep graffiti taggers away.

And, Wood said, he is thankful the volunteers thought enough of people in his situation to offer a free dinner.

“I borrowed my friend’s bike to get here today,” he said, patting his belly. “I’m glad I did, I’m sure I wouldn’t want to walk back after this.”