HOW TO HELP THE NEEDY.

This holiday season, organizations and companies across Southern California are collecting goods for those in need. Here are some opportunities to donate:

The ``Stuff a Truck'' food drive will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. today, and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at Smart & Final, 22631 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. Nonperishable food will be donated to the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank. Radio talk show hosts John & Jeff from KLSX 97.1 FM will broadcast live from the parking lot on both days. Call [phone]. Or www.lafightshunger.org on the Web.

The Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association will collect toys from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday for its Holiday Toy Drive. New, unwrapped toys will be given to the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services to donate to more than 70,000 foster and abused children in the San Fernando Valley. Drop off toys at Ralphs Market, 14049 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Call [phone].

Six Flags California's Magic Mountain in Valencia will offer free admission today and Sunday to those who bring a new, unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more. Donations collected during the Toys for the Holidays drive will be distributed to Southern California children by United Parcel Service and the Southern California Boys & Girls Club. Call [phone].

Donations are being collected for local foster children of the Hathaway House. Bring new toys to a 7:30 p.m. meeting Monday of Compassionate Friends of the Valley at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Classroom C, 5601 De Soto Ave., Woodland Hills. Donations accepted through Dec. 18. Call Becky at [phone].

Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center is soliciting toys, food and clothing through Wednesday for distribution to families of students at Cerritos and GlenFeliz Boulevard elementary schools. The hospital is at 1420 S. Central Ave. Call [phone].

First Christian Church of North Hollywood operates a volunteer Christmas tree lot, with proceeds donated to children's charities. The lot is at 4390 Colfax Ave., North Hollywood. Call [phone].

The San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council is asking for donations for its programs, including Meals on Wheels, Alliance for the Care of Abused Children, food pantries and temporary shelters. It also needs blankets for homeless people in the Valley. Call [phone].

The Glendale YWCA Domestic Violence Project is collecting gift certificates for women's and children's clothing, books, personal items, bath products, movies, groceries, prepaid gas and phone cards. Call Edwina Dunlap at [phone] Ext. 236.

Employees at Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center will be collecting food and gifts on Wednesday to send to more than 30 families with children in local schools. They encourage others to consider ``adopting'' families for the holidays.

St. Anne's residential facility for teen mothers and their children is collecting gifts for its families this holiday season. Officials suggest baby clothing, toys or books for the children, and kitchen supplies, cookbooks, cameras, photo albums or home accessories for the mothers. New and unwrapped donations should be received by Wednesday at 155 N. Occidental Blvd., Echo Park.

Children's Institute International is seeking toy donations for its annual holiday party for children at risk of abuse and neglect. Donations will be accepted through Saturday (Dec. 15) at the main office at 701 S. New Hampshire Ave., Los Angeles. Arrangements can also be made to have donations picked up. Call [phone].

Sears, Roebuck and Co. stores are collecting toys and apparel to distribute to more than 15,000 children at Fred Jordan Mission in Los Angeles on Dec. 16. Donors can pick a child's ``wish tag'' off the store's Christmas tree and purchase gifts. Sears will make additional contributions.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is seeking the donation of household items that will be given to Los Angeles County families in extreme need. The organization also is asking businesses to donate overstocked or discontinued items. Call [phone].

Nonperishable foods and new toys are needed for the 14th annual Santa's Magic Food and Toy Drive, sponsored by the Santa Clarita Valley-Newhall Optimist Club. Donations can be made at brightly decorated boxes at supermarkets across the Santa Clarita Valley. To contribute perishable items, call [phone].

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in Santa Clarita is collecting new, unwrapped toys for its annual toy drive. Especially needed this year are toys for infants and athletic equipment for teens. Monetary donations used to purchase gift certificates are also appreciated. Toys can be dropped off at the sheriff's station, 23740 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia; Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 24251 Town Center Drive; Valencia AutoSpa, 23500 Valencia Blvd.; the Washington Mutual branches at Granary Square and on Valencia Boulevard; and at various schools in the area. Call Deputy Donna Elliott at [phone].