Presents for Hungry Times : It’s Better to Give . . . : Charities: Where to donate gifts for the needy; agencies throughout the Southland are accepting contributions

“We need a miracle this Christmas,” says the director of one agency dedicated to feeding the hungry. “Donations are down.” If you’re feeling depressed about the state of the economy, and more depressed about the state of your own personal finances, there’s no better antidote than helping those less fortunate than yourself.

If you want to share your wealth, you don’t have to go very far to find an organization willing to receive it. One of the following agencies is in your neighborhood--and would be very happy for gifts of food to share with the needy. Even the smallest donation will help. As one program director says: “Anything we get is more than what we had before.”

CENTRAL LOS ANGELES

AIDS Project L.A.’s Necessities of Life Program: 6721 Romaine St., Hollywood; (213) 962-1600, Ext. 180; Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Canned goods and staples.

All People’s Christian Center: 822 East. 20th St., Los Angeles, (213) 747-6357; Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned goods and staples.

Chrysalis Center: 702 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, (213) 623-9394; Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-noon. Non-perishable foods.

Dolores Mission: 171 S. Gless St., Los Angeles, (213) 262-2397; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. All foods.

Eastmont Community Center: 701 S. Hoefner Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 726-7998; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

El Centro Del Pueblo: 840 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 250-1120; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

El Rescate (The Rescue): 1340 S. Bonnie Brae St., Los Angeles, (213) 387-3284; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods and staples.

Fred Jordan Mission: 445 Towne Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 489-7763 and (818) 915-1981; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Canned foods and staples.

Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women: 267 N. Belmont Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 250-5241; every day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., or call to make make special arrangements. Canned foods and staples.

House of Ruth: 605 N. Cummings St., Los Angeles, (213) 266-4139; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Canned foods and staples.

Las Familias del Pueblo: 307 E. 7th St., Los Angeles, (213) 614-1745; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Canned foods and staples.

LIFE (Love Is Feeding Everyone): 310 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 936-0895; headquarters for three offices in Los Angeles. Will accept non-perishable foods, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at 2040 Hawkins Circle, Huntington Park.

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: 1734 E. 41st St., Los Angeles, (213) 234-3030; Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. All foods. Can also refer to more than 550 other agencies throughout L.A. County.

Los Angeles Mission: 443 S. Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, (213) 629-1227; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. All foods.

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California: 4975 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 661-8674; Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Canned goods and staples.

Plaza Community Center: 648 S. Indiana St., Los Angeles, (213) 268-1107; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All foods, except frozen products.

Rakestraw Memorial Center: 5139 S. Main St., Los Angeles, (213) 232-2258; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

Saint Francis Center: 1203 S. Santee St., Los Angeles, (213) 747-5347; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed noon to 1:30 p.m.) All foods.

Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Community Center: 4213 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, (213) 234-9087; Monday-Friday, 1-5 p.m. Non-perishable foods.

Saint Vincent’s Cardinal Manning Center: 231 Winston St., Los Angeles, (213) 626-3744; Sunday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. All foods.

Salvation Army, Harbor Light Center: 809 E. 5th St., Los Angeles, (213) 626-4786. Will accept donations everyday, 24 hours. All foods.

Midnight Mission: 396 S. Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, (213) 624-9258. Will accept donations everyday, 24 hours, but daytime delivery is preferred. All foods.

The Seedling: 6314 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, (213) 753-7218; Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9:15 a.m.-noon and 1:15-4 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-noon. All foods, baby foods and formula.

Transition House: 543 S. Crocker St., Los Angeles, (213) 622-7073; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

Union Rescue Mission: 226 S. Main St., Los Angeles, (213) 628-6103; Accepts donations daily, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Not necessary to park; security at front door will accept donations. All foods.

United American Indian Involvement-Crisis Center: 118 Winston St., Los Angeles, (213) 625-2565; Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Youth With a Mission: 1751 N. Normandie Ave., Hollywood, (213) 660-6040; Everyday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

PASADENA/SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

Arcadia Welfare & Thrift: 323 North 1st Ave., Arcadia, (818) 447-2881; Monday-Friday, 3-5 p.m. Canned goods only.

Community Food Bank: 1501 W. Del Norte St., Room 21, West Covina, (818) 814-2862; Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. All non-perishable foods.

Delhaven Community Center: 15135 Fairgrove, La Puente, (818) 917-9789; Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. All non-perishable foods.

People for People: 860 E. Mission Drive, San Gabriel, (818) 285-2549; Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Canned foods, staples.

Pomona Valley Council of Churches Hunger Program: Beta Center, 1095 W. Grand Ave., Pomona, (714) 622-7278; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. Other collection locations: West End Hunger Program--SOVA, 635 S. Taylor Ave., Ontario; SAN DIMAS SITE, 110 East 3rd Ave., San Dimas, (no telephone) open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 2-4 p.m.; Canned and frozen food, uncooked staples.

Union Station: 412 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, (818) 449-4596; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Large, non-perishable canned or packaged foods.

YWCA-WINGS: 631 S. Eremland Ave., Covina, (818) 915-5191; call before making delivery; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods, clothing and toys.

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Burbank Temporary Aid Center: 1620 W. Magnolia, Burbank, (818) 846-2330; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples.

Guadalupe Center: 21600 Hart St., Canoga Park, (818) 340-2050; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., or by appointment. Canned foods, staples and baby food and baby clothes.

Loaves and Fishes: 229 S. Orange St., Glendale, (818) 247-8215; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

MEND: 13460 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima, (818) 896-0246; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods, clothing and blankets.

SOUTH BAY

Catholic Charities: 123 East 14th St., Long Beach, (310) 591-1351; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods, warm clothing, socks and blankets.

Christian Outreach Appeal: 515 East 3rd St., Long Beach, (310) 432-1440; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

House of Yahweh: 4330 West 147th St., Lawndale, (310) 675-1384; Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. All foods.

Long Beach Community Services Development Corp.: 2179 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, (310) 437-0681; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples, turkeys.

Long Beach Rescue Mission: 1335 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, (310) 591-1292; everyday, anytime. All foods.

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California: 4632 W. Century Blvd., Inglewood, (310) 672-8011; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Rainbow Services Ltd.: 421 West 6th St., San Pedro, (310) 548-5450; Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque: 25511 Eshelman Ave., Lomita, (310) 326-3364; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. All foods.

St. Peter and Paul Poverty Program: 943 Lagoon Ave., Wilmington, (310) 834-5431; everyday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater South Bay: 1444 San Francisco Ave., Long Beach, (310) 435-3577; Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. All foods. Services 175 food pantries throughout shoreline communities--will refer to other locations.

Sisters of Charity of Rolling Hills: 28600 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills, (310) 831-4104; every day, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. All foods.

Toberman Settlement House: 131 N. Grand Ave., San Pedro, (310) 832-1145; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Closed 12:30-1:30 p.m.) All foods.

SOUTH CENTRAL

Emergency Assistance Program c/o Human Services of the City of Gardena: 1651 West 162 St., Gardena, (213) 217-9574; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Staple foods, vouchers--no perishables.

Helpers for the Homeless and Hungry Program: 2513-29 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 299-8670; Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Human Services Assn.: Bell Gardens Community Center, 5856 Ludell St., Bell Gardens, (213) 773-3911; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Canned foods.

Parents of Watts: 10828 Lou Dillon St., Los Angeles, (213) 566-7556; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All foods.

Wesley Social Service Center: 8317 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 751-5128; Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. All foods.

Westminster Neighborhood Assn.: 1776 E. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 564-4579; Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. No perishables.

WESTSIDE

PATH: 3756 Overland Ave., Los Angeles, (310) 558-4295; Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. All foods.

Regis House: 11346 Iowa Ave., West Los Angeles, (310) 477-8168; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Canned foods, non-perishables. (Will accept perishable items with advance notice.)

St. Joseph Center: 204 Hampton Drive, Venice, (310) 392-5101 or (310) 396-6468; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Canned foods, staples.

SOVA (Feed the Hungry): 11852 Santa Monica Blvd., West Los Angeles, (213) 820-8868; Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. All non-perishable foods.

ORANGE COUNTY

Catholic Charities: 2829 West 1st St., Santa Ana, (714) 543-3924; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. All foods.

Hope House: 714 N. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, (714) 776-7490; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

Lutheran Social Services: 12432 9th St., Garden Grove, (714) 534-6450; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. All foods.

Orange County Rescue Mission: 1901 W. Walnut St., Santa Ana, (714) 835-0499; everyday, 24 hours. All foods.

St. Vincent de Paul Food Distribution Center: 426-A W. Almond St., Orange, (714) 771-1343; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Canned foods, staples, turkeys. Also can refer to 192 other locations throughout Orange County.

Share Our Selves: 1550 Superior Ave., Costa Mesa, (714) 642-3451; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. All foods.

PALMDALE

SAVES: 38513 6th St. East, Palmdale, (805) 273-6470; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. All foods.

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY

Los Angeles County Community Services Center: 24271 San Fernando Road, Newhall, (805) 254-0070; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. All non-perishable foods and new toys only. Volunteers also needed.

SAN DIEGO AREA

Catholic Charities: 349 Cedar St., San Diego, (619) 231-2828; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods and staples.

Heartland Human Relations Assn.: 7435 University Ave., Suite 202, La Mesa, (619) 464-7313 or (619) 460-2744; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Canned foods, staples. Also can refer to other locations throughout east county.

Horizon Christian Fellowship: 5331 Mount Alifan Drive, San Diego, (619) 277-4991; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples.

Lutheran Social Services: 4354 Van Dyke Ave., San Diego; (619) 28-1328; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call ahead. Canned foods and staples. Also can refer to two other locations.

Lutheran Social Services, Project Hand: 580 Hilltop Drive, Chula Vista, (619) 425-4061; Monday-Friday. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call ahead. Canned food, staples.

Salvation Army, Christmas Headquarters: College Grove Plaza, Highway 94 and College Ave., no telephone; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Canned foods, staples. Request foods as soon as possible for distribution Dec. 17-24. Call other locations for drop-off sites: El Cajon (619) 440-4683; Escondido (619) 745-8616; Oceanside (619) 439-1021; Chula Vista (619) 422-7027.

San Diego Food Bank: 4520 Federal Building, Suite A, San Diego, (619) 263-3663; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples. Also can refer to other feeding programs throughout San Diego County.

San Diego Life Ministries: 1150 J St., San Diego, (619) 234-2109; everyday, 24 hours. All foods.

SHARE: 3350 E St., San Diego, (619) 525-2200; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Canned foods, staples or $13 donation to sponsor a family food package.