Reaching out to help those in need : community's giving and caring help ease pain of people who've endured a hard 1993

The past year has included much hardship for those who have lost jobs and homes and are struggling to make ends meet. At such times, it’s important to remember the work of groups and

individuals who are trying to help people who are in need. A fine example is the Loaves and Fishes Community Service Center on Delano Street in Van Nuys. It is a food pantry and clothing

distribution center that receives goods from the L.A. Regional Foodbank, several Catholic churches, B’Nai Brith, Temple Judea and Bel-Air Presbyterian Church. That helps Loaves and Fishes

provide sustenance to 3,000 homeless families and individuals each month. Others this year have tried to fill the needs caused by so many senseless acts of violence. Canoga Park chiropractor

Seth Goldstein and his partners, for example, have worked to raise $1,500 for the Laurie Myles Memorial Fund. Myles, a mother of three, was killed by a robber in September, and the fund was

set up to help the family that must survive without her. There was the Chatsworth publishing company, Milt Wright and Associates, that pledged 10% of its profits for the months of November

and December to the victims of the Southern California wildfires. 1993 also marked the 40th anniversary of the Family Service Agency in Burbank, which serves about 600 people a month with

programs for abused women and their children, and the 20th anniversary of the nonprofit Northeast Valley Health Corp. It provides basic medical care for thousands of northeast Valley

residents who might not otherwise receive such help. Finally, there were the 10 San Fernando Superior Court judges who threw the book at some local residents, in the form of money, books and

other things for a cash-strapped county library. By the way, have _ you _ done something to help? MORE TO READ