AFTER THE FIRES, FOOD BANKS FEAR DONORS ARE DONE GIVING.

Byline: Lisa M. Sodders Staff Writer

San Fernando Valley food pantries fear the public's generosity in giving to the victims of the recent devastating Southern California wildfires could leave them with empty shelves during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

``Whenever there's a disaster right before the holidays, there's a question in the air: People were so generous during the fires; is that going to affect the holiday giving?'' said Jim Mangis, president of FOOD Share, Ventura County's regional food bank.

``The reminder we try to put out there is that although the fires were a huge disaster ... there are also a lot of people suffering on a daily basis, and sometimes, after a disaster, we forget that.''

Other food pantries echoed his concerns. Lon Simmons, director of the Valley Food Bank in North Hollywood, said donations are down so much this year that he's not sure how they're going to prepare the 4,000 Thanksgiving meals they plan to serve Thursday.

``We are in desperate need of 600 turkeys,'' Simmons said.

The Valley food bank, part of the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission, prepared 2,000 meals last Thanksgiving but there is much more demand this year, Simmons said.

Delayed by the grocery store strikes, FOOD Share just started its food drive Wednesday, Mangis said, adding that it was still too early to know whether they would meet their Thanksgiving meal demand.

The food bank, which Mangis estimated will provide food for some 38,000 people over the holidays, is looking for about 250,000 pounds of nonperishable foods, particularly high-protein items such as tuna fish and peanut butter, but also powdered milk and macaroni and cheese.

The recent strikes at area grocery stores have resulted in some donations, but Simmons said most of the donations are perishable foods that must be distributed and eaten quickly.

``It's still a blessing, but it hasn't met the need on a consistent basis,'' Simmons said.

The San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council, which represents about 20 food pantries in the San Fernando Valley that serve about 45,000 people a month, has seen two years of flagging donations, said Ileene Parker, program director.

And while the donations of fresh milk and yogurt from the supermarket strikes have helped, nonperishable items and turkeys are greatly needed, she said.

In years past, many supermarkets would give away free turkeys if customers purchased enough groceries, but few stores have run those promotions this year - which might be why fewer people are donating the Thanksgiving staple to the pantries.

``The absolutely perfect gift is to give money to an established food pantry,'' Parker added. ``This way, we can get the items they really need. I can assure them we can stretch a dollar further than they can, because we can get food from a regional food bank at a much-reduced price.''

And while Parker said people's generosity is greatly appreciated during the holidays, she added, ``I wish the general public would realize our needs are constant, year-round. They don't stop being hungry in January.''

At the Santa Clarita Food Pantry in Newhall, 235 people have applied to be adopted for the Christmas holidays, compared with 180 last year, and the pantry is scrambling to find families who are willing to adopt about 75 clients and provide funds or gift certificates for a holiday meal and presents.

``The Santa Clarita Valley is growing, and whenever there's growth, a certain number will end up needing services at one time or another,'' Crawford said. ``Our vision is that no child in the Santa Clarita Valley should go to bed hungry. Our seniors are having to make a choice - 'Do I buy medicine or do I buy food?' - and they should never have to make that choice.''

``The best way to help is just to have a heart of compassion and be willing to give something, other than to yourselves,'' Simmons said. ``We're not saying that one person is going to change the world, but one person can make a difference. If everyone would be willing to make a difference, collectively, we can make an impact.''

Lisa M. Sodders, [phone]

lisa.sodders(at)dailynews.com

HOLIDAY DONATIONS

Want to help the homeless and needy this Thanksgiving? Here are some places to donate:

San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission

13422 Saticoy Street

North Hollywood, CA 91605

[phone]

Items needed: At least 600 turkeys, 2,000 rolls, pies and cakes, as well as other traditional Thanksgiving trimmings. Cash donations also welcomed.

San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council

Call [phone] for food pantry locations or check the web site, www.sfvic.org

Items needed: Turkeys, non-perishable food items and cash donations.

FOODShare Inc.,

4156 Southbank Road

Oxnard, CA 93036

[phone], ext. 143

Items needed: Non-perishable food items, including high-protien foods such as canned tuna fish and peanut butter. For drop-off locations, see the web site www.foodshare.com

Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry

24133 Railroad Avenue

Newhall, CA 91321

[phone] Items needed: People to adopt about 75 families for the Christmas holidays, providing either cash or gift certificates for a holiday meal and toys/presents.

SOURCE: Area food banks and pantries

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

(color) Valley Food Bank director Lon Simmons watches as food is carried in last week. The pantry still needs 600 turkeys.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer

Box:

HOLIDAY DONATIONS (see text)