FOOD PANTRIES CAN EASE FRUIT-VEGGIE GLUT.

Byline: Claire Merriam Hoffman

IN parts of Michigan, my friend Ann contends, people only lock their car doors during the height of the zucchini season for fear of desperate neighbors who wish to foist off their extra homegrown zucchini rather than face the specter of zucchini for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Whether this myth is true or not, vestiges of ``zucchini madness'' invariably hits every home gardener around the country at some time or other.

In Southern California zucchini madness hits as oranges and lemons pile up in the winter months followed by bushels of summer peaches, tomatoes and the dread squashes, which grow to the size of a Buick in a few days. What's a home gardener to do?

Easy. Give some of your bumper crop to your local food pantry.

Food pantries get little in the way of perishable goods like fresh fruits and vegetables from the stores and government agencies that supply them, so when a neighbor brings over a few extra zucchini from the garden they are greeted with large smiles and big thank yous. The small quantity is immediately handed out and nothing goes to waste.

The families and seniors who receive the bonus goods are very grateful. Canned goods are never as nutritious as fresh out of the garden. With most fruit and vegetable prices hovering around a dollar a pound, fresh produce can be a luxury for the poor in our community.

Mornings during the beginning of the week are the best times to drop by and no donation is too small. Below is a list of several San Fernando Valley food pantries which gladly accept donations of homegrown goodies - even zucchini.

If your local food pantry is not on the list, call them. They will probably be delighted to hear from you. Some food pantries even give you a receipt so that you can list your donated produce as a contribution on your tax returns.

While it may take more effort to cart your stuff to the food pantry then stuffing a large zucchini in your neighbor's minivan, the rewards you reap will be great.

West Valley Food Pantry: Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, 5700 Rudnick Ave., Woodland Hills (one block east of Shoup Avenue off Collins Street - behind Prince of Peace Episcopal Church).

Lutheran Social Services Food Pantry: Can receive produce any weekday after 10 a.m., 6425 Tyrone Ave., Van Nuys (two blocks east of Van Nuys Boulevard, just off Victory Boulevard, behind Central Lutheran Church).

Loaves and Fishes: Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday after 9 a.m., 14525 Delano St., Van Nuys (behind Napa auto parts).

M.E.N.D. - Meet Each Need with Dignity: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 13460 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima (at Cayuga Avenue and Van Nuys Boulevard).