By Mary O’KEEFE

Thanksgiving has traditionally been a time to donate to local food banks and this year is no different as there is a growing number of people who are in need of food assistance. Although these numbers have had a steady increase the need rose dramatically during the pandemic. That need is still present for many families that are struggling to recover in the wake of COVID-19.

Several organizations have held food drives and are helping individuals and families however they can.

The Kiwanis Club of La Cañada/La Crescenta AM provided over 17,000 pounds of food over the last year (September 2020 thru August 2021) to those in the local community who would otherwise go hungry.

This service dates back to 1993 when the Kiwanis Club started delivering food to the less fortunate. Over the years, this service has expanded to 365 days a year. Thanks to sponsors, Kiwanis volunteers collect and deliver food to non-profit organizations to help those in need. Those organizations include Salvation Army Men’s Residence in Pasadena, Foothill Unity Food Bank, Friends In Deed in Pasadena, Bailey Human Care Center in Tujunga, St. Bede’s Skidettes (where lunches are made and delivered to Las Familias and St. Francis Center in downtown LA), and Door of Hope in Pasadena.

Anyone who has two hours a month to help continue this worthwhile project can call and leave a message at (818) 645-0968.

The Crescenta Valley Lions Club recently collected large bags and boxes of dried goods that were donated to the Bailey Human Care Center to help support their Thanksgiving outreach efforts. The Bailey Center feeds over 1,000 individuals weekly.

The Crescenta Valley High School robotics team 589 has held regular food drives for the Bailey Center over the last several months.

The Bailey Human Care Center is a food bank and a free community outreach program of the Tujunga United Methodist Church. It has been providing services to the local community since 1981 and is an entirely volunteer-run organization. Its food cupboard provides emergency food services for homeless and low-income families and individuals.

The Bailey Human Care Center is located at 9901 Tujunga Canyon. The Bailey Center is currently in desperate need of food with an extreme need for spaghetti sauce, cereal, canned vegetables and soup. Also needed are paper bags. Items can be dropped off at CV United Methodist Church, 2700 Montrose Ave. (call beforehand [818] 249-6173), or at the office of CV Weekly, 3800 La Crescenta Ave. #206 (after hours bags can be left at the bottom of the stairs in the lobby or outside the office doors) or contact the Bailey Human Care Center at (818) 352-1481 for drop off days and times.