CHRISTMAS BASKETS: WHERE TO DONATE ITEMS FOR THE NEEDY

A growing number of Orange County’s middle-class and working-poor families are facing a meager holiday this year, in part because of the area’s high cost of living. The Food Distribution Center Serving Orange County distributed 7,500,000 pounds of food valued at $8,625,000 to 98,000 people last year, contrasted with 6,609,000 pounds of food during 1985.

The following listing includes countywide efforts by organizations, agencies and churches to make the holidays brighter for needy families. Donations must be made soon; many groups will begin distributing items this weekend.

Share Our Selves (SOS)

Rea Community Center

661 Hamilton St.

Costa Mesa, 92627

(714) 642-3451

For the 17th consecutive year, the nonprofit group will sponsor its “Adopt-A-Family” project. Donors, who are matched with needy families, must agree to buy food for Christmas dinner and to provide at least two new toys for each child. Although 1,000 families have been adopted, about 300 more needy families need donors. If you would like to be a donor, call (714) 642-3451 as soon as possible. SOS will also provide emergency food and shelter to the homeless.

Christian Temporary Housing Inc.

704 N. Glassel St.

Orange, 92667

(714) 771-2969

Founded 11 years ago, Orange County’s oldest family shelter will provide Christmas food baskets to 80 residents. Clothing, toys and food donations will be accepted up to Christmas Eve. Resident children will be caroling Dec. 20-24 in the evening to raise money for a trip to Disneyland and to buy gifts for their families. Those who enjoy the music are asked to make a cash donation. Shelter employees, all themselves once homeless, will join residents in distributing sandwiches and cookies to others less fortunate.

Marine Corps Air Station El Toro

Toys For Tots

MAG-46, Building 296

MCAS

Santa Ana, 92709

(714) 651-2627

Now in its 40th year, Toys For Tots collected 7.9 million toys nationally in 1986 for distribution by charitable groups. According to Marine Corps Reserve representatives in El Toro, gift-giving in Orange County has fallen far short of the 28,000 requests for toys. The program provides gifts to groups and agencies such as the Salvation Army, Feedback Foundation, the Interfaith Shelter and the Huntington Beach Head Start Program. Toys, board games and sports-type equipment for children 1-17 years old are requested by Friday. Gifts appropriate for youths 12-17 years old are desperately needed. The following collection sites will accept new, unwrapped toys or gifts: MainPlace/Santa Ana, Mission Viejo Mall, Brea Mall, the El Toro and Mission Viejo libraries and all fire stations in Fullerton, Garden Grove, Anaheim, San Clemente, Orange, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach.

Holiday Hope

County Health Care Agency-Volunteer Services

1440 East 1st St., Suite 305

Santa Ana, 92701

(714) 834-5585 or 834-5653

Since 1983, the volunteer organization has served the county’s mental health and public health clients. The program used 4,000 pounds of food collected by the Orange County Postal Federal Employees Credit Union to assist families last year during the holiday season. New and used toys, clothes and blankets are needed. Individuals and businesses willing to adopt needy families by providing a complete holiday meal and gifts are asked to call (714) 834-5585 immediately. Non-perishable food donations can be made at any Orange County Post Office. Supermarket gift certificates will be purchased with cash donations. Please make checks payable to Holiday Hope and send to address listed. Donations are accepted 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (deadline noon on Christmas Eve.) Since office is staffed by volunteers, please phone before coming.

Orange County Postal Federal Employees Credit Union

13902 Harbor Blvd.

Garden Grove, 92643

24000 Avila Road, (lower level)

Laguna Niguel, 92677

(714) 554-2700

Federal postal and credit union employees are working with “Holiday Hope” for the second consecutive year. Donation boxes for canned goods, non-perishable food and new toys have been placed in 68 post offices and both credit unions and donations will be accepted until Dec. 23. Toys received will distributed through “Operation Santa Claus.”

Operation Santa Claus

Orange County Social Services

1440 E. 1st St.

Santa Ana, 92701

(714) 834-4703

In operation since 1973, the program makes the holiday season brighter for abused and neglected children at the Orangewood Children’s Home, foster children and older adults. New, unwrapped toys for children and youths 1-17 years old and gifts for adults are requested. Gifts for teen-agers and children 2-6 are especially needed. Gifts will be distributed until Christmas Eve. Volunteers are needed to collect, wrap and distribute gifts.

Friends In Service To Humanity (FISH)

Harbor Area

(714) 642-6060

The volunteer Christian service organization funded partially by United Way hopes to serve 120 needy families in Costa Mesa, Irvine and Newport Beach. Dried milk, canned goods, non-perishable foods and monetary donations are requested by Friday. New, unwrapped toys are needed for children up to 13. Make checks payable to SOS. Cash donations will be used to purchase hams and turkeys. Drivers are needed to distribute food baskets and gifts on Dec. 22 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Donations are accepted from the tri-city area served.

Orange County Rescue Mission

1901 W. Walnut St.

Santa Ana, 92703

(714) 835-0499

With support from local churches and organizations, the mission plans to feed the homeless on Christmas Day. Food boxes will be given to needy families on Christmas Eve. Turkeys, canned goods and non-perishable items are needed. Gifts are needed for all ages. Volunteers are needed to wrap gifts, fill food boxes and to serve dinner on Christmas Day.

Delhi Community Center

542 E. Central Ave.

Santa Ana, 92707

(714) 549-1317

The center plans to provide food baskets and gifts to 500 families on Dec. 22 and 23. Canned goods, beans, rice and new unwrapped toys for 600 children ages 6-12 are needed by Saturday. Center officials said approximately 400 children are girls. At least 10 volunteers will be needed to box food and wrap gifts on Dec. 20 and 21 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Southwest Community Center

1601 West 2nd St.

Santa Ana, 92703

(714) 543-8933

Approximately 350 food baskets will be distributed to homeless and low-income families and needy senior citizens Dec. 19-24. New and used unwrapped toys, canned goods and blankets are needed. Cash donations will be used to purchase perishable foods. Make checks payable to the Southwest Community Center. Deadline for donations is noon on Christmas Eve.

Episcopal Service Alliance

311 W. South St.

Anaheim, 92805

(714) 364-2895

The agency plans to distribute at least 400 holiday food baskets and toys from three community services offices and to serve Christmas dinner to approximately 300 women and families housed at two emergency shelters. Wrapped toys should be labeled “girl” or “boy” and should indicate age level. Canned goods, protein items, poultry and blankets are needed. Cash donations will be used to purchase perishable foods. Donations are requested by Dec. 23. The following locations will accept donations:

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church

311 W. South St., Anaheim, (714) 776-7510

Episcopal Church of the Messiah

614 N. Bush St., Santa Ana, (714) 953-9170

Episcopal Service Alliance (south office building)

150 W. Ave. Pico, San Clemente, (714) 492-8211

Martha House for Women

275 S. Glassell St., Orange, (714) 639-5323

Anchor House for Families

150 W. Ave. Pico, San Clemente, (714) 492-6924

Brother Michael’s Christian Mission

233 Flower St.

Costa Mesa, 92627

(714) 548-3491

The mission needs canned goods, used furniture, clothing and toys. The program’s food distribution center, based at South Coast Christian Church, 972 Victoria Ave., will operate its regular food distribution site during the holidays. For donation pickup service, call (714) 548-3491. Donations can be made by calling Brother Michael (714) 548-3491 or in person. Cash donations are needed also to offset a $7,500 deficit at the county’s food bank.

Orange County Indian Center

12755 Brookhurst St.

Garden Grove, 92640

(714) 530-0221)

The center plans to distribute 600 food baskets to American Indians and other needy families. New, unwrapped toys for children 1-13 are needed by Friday. Canned goods are requested year-round.

Salvation Army

Anaheim Christmas Headquarters

201 E. Cypress St.

Anaheim, 92805

(714) 778-5460 or 778-5461

and

Santa Ana Christmas Headquarters

818 East 3rd St.

Santa Ana, 92701

(714) 546-7880

The Salvation Army Family Services Office of Anaheim and the Anaheim Human Services Network have established a central clearing house for families and individuals seeking Christmas assistance--food, toys and temporary shelter--during the holidays. For information on filing applications for assistance, call (714) 778-5460 or 778-5461. Cash donations, supermarket gift certificates, canned goods and blankets are needed immediately for distribution beginning Saturday.

The Salvation Army’s Santa Ana Christmas Headquarters is interviewing 50-70 families per day who are seeking Christmas assistance. Last year 840 families received food baskets, toys and supermarket gift certificates. Officials estimate assistance needs have increased 5% to 10% this year. Cash donations, canned goods and blankets are requested.

Eastern Pacific Development

Villagio II-Sales Office

616 Via Espiritu

San Clemente, 92672

(714) 498-1600

Long Beach-based EPAC Development and the San Clemente chapter of the Boys Scouts of America have created a food drop-off site at the Villagio II sales office. Prospective buyers visiting the model homes are requested to donate canned goods and/or non-perishable foods. Donations received will be weighed on Dec. 23, and EPAC Development will buy perishable goods in matching weight. The Boy Scouts will deliver all goods to local churches and community organizations for distribution to needy families on Dec. 24.

St. Anne’s Parish--Social Justice Committee*

109 W. Borchard St.

Santa Ana, 92707

(714) 542-8200

The food distribution site will select 100-125 families with children from its regular client list to receive food baskets and toys. Recipients must live within parish boundaries--First Street to Sunflower Avenue and Bristol to Standard streets. Persons donating poultry are requested to call (714) 835-7434 as soon as possible. The rectory will accept donations from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

St. Barbara’s Catholic Church*

730 S. Euclid St.

Santa Ana, 92704

(714) 775-7733

The parish is planning to distribute food to needy families on Dec. 22 and 23. The congregation has adopted 50 families who will receive holiday food baskets and gifts. New and/or used (good condition only) toys should be wrapped and labeled with sex and age of child. Monetary gifts will be used to buy poultry items. Recipients must live within parish boundaries: north--22 Garden Grove Freeway, south--Heil Avenue, east--Harbor Boulevard, west--Magnolia Street.

St. Boniface*

120 N. Janss St.

Anaheim, 92805

(714) 956-3110

Assistance from the Anaheim Interfaith Network and the Salvation Army will allow the church to provide 180 to 200 families with Christmas food baskets and toys. Recipients must submit an assistance application and live with church boundaries--north Riverside Freeway, south Katella, east railroad tracks running into Lewis and west Euclid.

St. Columban’s Parish*

10801 Stanford St.

Garden Grove, 92642

(714) 534-1174

The Garden Grove-based food distribution site, bounded on the north by Katella Avenue, south by Trask Avenue, east by Harbor Boulevard and west by Magnolia Avenue has selected 125 families from its regular clientele to receive Christmas baskets on Saturday.

St. Isidore Church

10941 Reagan St.,

Los Alamitos, 90720

(213) 596-9918

and

St. Hedwig Church*

11482 Los Alamitos Blvd.

Los Alamitos, 90720

(213) 430-0509

Parishioners will collectively provide holiday food baskets and toys to 75 families who are regular food program recipients, living north of Wardlow, south 405 Freeway, east Valley View Street, and west 605 Freeway.

St. Joachim of Costa Mesa*

1964 Orange Ave.

Costa Mesa, 92627

(714) 646-0234

The food distribution site presently serves approximately 100 families a month. Donations received for Thanksgiving will be given to local organizations--Share Our Selves (SOS) and Friends In Service To Humanity--for distribution to needy families.

St. Joseph’s Church*

727 Minter St.

Santa Ana, 92702

(714) 542-4411

Church officials are seeking more local businesses and individuals willing to adopt 32 needy families. To date, 18 families have been adopted and will receive holiday food baskets.

St. Juliana’s Catholic Church*

1316 N. Acacia Ave.

Fullerton, 92631

(714) 879-1965

and

St. Mary’s Church*

400 W. Commonwealth Ave.

Fullerton, 92632

(714) 525-2500

St. Juliana’s parishioners work cooperatively to support the food distribution site located at St. Mary’s. In addition to a $250 donation, the church has provided groceries collected every Sunday since Thanksgiving. Approximately 25 families living within church boundaries (north Rolling Hill Street, south Riverside Freeway, east State College, west Raymond Street) will receive gift certificates redeemable at Ralph’s and Lucky’s supermarkets valued at $25 or more. On Dec. 22 and 23, St. Mary’s will distribute food baskets to 115 families representing 700 individuals living within church boundaries ( Imperial Highway on the north, Riverside Freeway on the south, Raymond on the east and Baskue on the west.)

* Catholic churches of St. Vincent de Paul Conferences.

Clipboard researched by Nancy Reed and Deborrah Wilkinson / Los Angeles Times