Drive Hopes to Aid Latino Immigrants

Casa Esperanza, or House of Hope, is conducting a Christmas drive to collect basic goods for poor Latino immigrants who live on Blythe Street.

In years past the nonprofit social services agency, which operates out of a rundown apartment building on Blythe Street, conducted toy drives for the holidays. Last year the drive was expanded to include such items as food, clothes and diapers.

“A lot of them don’t even have food,” said Casa Esperanza director Maritza Artan of the 300 families her agency serves.

Artan said there’s a desperate need for blankets and jackets since many of the old Blythe Street apartments don’t have heat and residents often are cold.

“It’s very sad,” Artan said. “They are very poor. Many small one-bedroom apartments have seven to 10 people living in them.”

Used or new winter clothes for adults and children would be especially appreciated, she said.

Donations will be accepted at Casa Esperanza’s Panorama City office, 14612 Blythe St., Apt. 7, or call Casa Esperanza at (818) 786-1076 to arrange for pickup.