FAMILY FEELS THE STRAIN : GUADALUPE CENTER REQUESTS CLOTHING, FOOD TO SERVE NEEDY.

Byline: Eric Leach Daily News Staff Writer

Leticia and William Hernandez have high hopes for their children's futures, but they face serious challenges without enough food and clothes for the winter.

``I'm so happy that they enjoy school and like to study. I know some day things will be better for them,'' said Leticia, who has devoted her life to rearing her three daughters and four sons.

But Leticia Hernandez was crying when she came to the Guadalupe Center in Canoga Park last month, said Laura Young, a caseworker at the center for five years.

``She was desperate - a very, very anxious, worried mother. She was out of food completely when she came in,'' Young said. ``What impressed me was that her primary focus was on her children, that she needed food for them.''

Young helped Hernandez with a bag of groceries - bread, canned goods and pastries - but said the woman needs more.

``She obviously cares very much about her children and her family. The clothing, the shoes, are very important to her because of the winter coming,'' Young said.

Young is doing what she can for Hernandez at the Guadalupe Center, a facility that provides free emergency food, clothing and shelter for the needy and distributes Christmas baskets each year.

The nonprofit center, operated by Catholic Charities of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, has been in the San Fernando Valley since 1948.

``Our greatest needs are to provide a nice Christmas for families: toys for children who might otherwise not get any, warm clothing and food for a nice holiday meal,'' said Margaret Pontius, director of the center.

Guadalupe Center is among 15 agencies being profiled this year in the Daily News' seventh annual Season of Sharing project. Readers can use the attached clip-out coupon to donate money or goods to the agency, or sign up to volunteer. The Daily News receives none of the money.

In the Hernandez family's case, Leticia said her husband lost his job as a dishwasher and has to rely on part-time work to support his family. He has been working at a car wash in Santa Monica, but the couple is struggling to raise their family on $800 a month. Rent for their two-bedroom apartment at Van Nuys costs $625 a month.

Daughters Guillermina, 19, and Liliana, 17, are seniors at Birmingham High School.

Kristopher, 16, and Karen, 15, also attend Birmingham, while 8-year-old Guillermo Aaron attends Cohasset Street Elementary. The family includes Jason, 4, and Justin, 2.

Leticia Hernandez, who spoke through a Spanish-to-English translator, said she hopes her children eventually will have a computer or a typewriter to help them with their studies. They realize how important computers are in education today, and a computer or a typewriter could be used by all of them.

But the urgent need now is for food and school clothes, particularly shoes and jackets.

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PHOTO Leticia and William Hernandez and their children seek food, clothing.

Tina Gerson/Daily News