RESIDENTS OF A.V. PITCH IN TO AID CALIFORNIA FLOOD VICTIMS.

Byline: Charles F. Bostwick Daily News Staff Writer

When floodwaters chased thousands of Northern Californians from their homes, Antelope Valley residents lent a hand.

Individuals, churches, businesses and other organization have donated hundreds of blankets and disposable diapers, and thousands of pounds of food, clothing and cleaning supplies - even 300 pounds of coffee.

``We've gotten a good response. People have just been dropping it off,'' said Steve Baker of Grace Resource Center, a Lancaster food bank that sent its third shipment north Monday.

Northern California relief officials say most of the people evacuated when the swollen rivers overflowed or breeched their levees in late December and earlier this month have been allowed to return home. But they now face a monumental cleanup job.

The Salvation Army worked with Wal-Mart, Payless and Thrifty stores to collect supplies for flood victims. Its second shipment is scheduled to go north this week.

The organization is now turning its collection efforts to supplies and tools that flood victims can use to clean up their homes.

``We're to the point where people are trying to muck out their homes,'' said Capt. Ken Hood of the Lancaster Salvation Army office. ``We're looking for cleaning supplies, disinfectant, brooms - anything that can push mud around.''

Wal-Mart and the drug stores are no longer collecting donations, but supplies may be dropped off at the Salvation Army thrift stores at 340 E. Ave. I and 2101 E. Palmdale Blvd.

``I was talking to one of the disaster coordinators yesterday,'' Hood said. ``They are looking at helping folk for six months to a year. This is long term.''

The truck sent north by Grace Resource Center on Monday was filled with shovels, brooms, paper towels, blankets and food. It was bound for tiny Lincoln in Placer County, where the supplies were to be delivered to an emergency service center similar to Grace Resource Center.

After earlier deliveries of blankets, food, toiletry items and clothing to Sacramento and Modesto, this was expected to be Grace Resource Center's last shipment. But Baker said he may make a fourth trip to deliver supplies that Antelope Valley High School students are trying to collect.

WHERE TO GO

Cleaning supplies and other donations for Northern California flood victims may be dropped off at the Salvation Army thrift stores at 340 E. Ave. I and 2101 E. Palmdale Blvd. The stores are open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Cash contributions should be delivered to the Lancaster Salvation Army office, 45001 Beech Ave.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

Photo: (1--color) John Cooper of the Grace Resource Center in Lancaster boxes flood-assistance supplies Monday.

(2) Workers at the Grace Resource Center are still taking supplies to help victims of recent flooding.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News

Box: WHERE TO GO (see text)