Emergency Food Assistance

Our Food Pantry is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 12 and 1 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and gives direct distribution to needy clients, including low income families and the homeless. Our Food Bank regularly receives an “A” rating by the LA County Dept. of Public Health for strict adherence to food handling standards. Each applicant is interviewed to assess needs and to verify information. Our food bags are designed to provide a generous, nutritionally balanced supply of food to help families make ends meet, but also to help our clients help themselves for the future. Volunteers pick up donated food at local supermarkets, sort food at our pantry and help with other jobs that help to alleviate the hunger of our families and individuals and the communities of the San Fernando Valley. Clients are eligible for food once a month, and the homeless can receive lunches once a week.

Poverty Reduction

Assisting clients in their financial goals to become economically independent. The Education and Training Center at Lutheran Social Services includes English as a Second Language and a Computer Lab.  ESL and computer classes are offered weekly.  A money-management, fiscal literacy class is also offered to provide one on one tutorial classes to enable functionally non-literate adults to improve their reading and writing skills. Spanish classes are provided to individuals who may be having difficulty in their native language and need to learn basic skills before beginning to learn English. The Computer Lab provides a variety of computer classes from beginners to advanced students. Volunteers are needed to teach ESL classes, provide basic computer skills in the computer lab and assist with clerical skills.

Contact: Judith Aguilar, (818) 901-9480
jaguilar@lsssc.org

Residential Services Support Program - Preventing eviction of residents

Our Residential Support Services Program serves residents of Casa de Canoga, Deco Nordhoff, and Simpson Arbor apartments located in San Fernando Valley. Our case manager for this program is on site at each of these complexes once a week and provides services including assistance with tax preparation, unemployment insurance, medicare/medical questions, food stamp assistance; information regarding drug abuse and treatment; job assistance and computer labs; information regarding the San Fernando Valley neighborhood Legal Services; utilities assistance; free medical care such as eye exams, information about the Dept. of Social Services; voting applications and information, and Community Enhancement Services (HEAP).  Eviction prevention plans are developed and implemented and continuous assessment of individual and group situations are on-going.

Contact: Ramses Gonzales, (818) 901-9480
rgonzales@lsssc.org

Clothing Center

Our clothing center distributes clothing 4 days a week, Tuesday through Friday.  Each recipient is given an allotment for clothes items for each member of their immediate family.  The clothes center also helps by offering blankets during the winter months, infant care items for newborns, holiday gifts at Christmas and toiletry items for families and individuals. The clothing center also has a limited selection of children’s toys, small household items and books. Volunteers are needed to sort clothing, distribute clothing, pick up donated clothing and help with other tasks that would help LSS organize its clothing center.

Contact: Jan Maseda
jmaseda@lsssc.org

Clothing Closets
We have two clothes closets, one for adult male and female and one for infants and children.  Everyone is eligible for two pieces of clothing when they come in, and you can pick up your clothes when you pick up food.  The clothes closets also help by offering blankets and jackets during the winter months, infant care items for newborns, including diapers, and small household items and books. Volunteers help sort and distribute clothing, pick up donated clothing and keep the closets organized and clean.

Holiday Programs

LSS provides Christmas baskets and toys to all age groups for those families who are at or below poverty level.  We assess the needs of each family and distribute accordingly.  We ask our churches and community organizations to help us donate and gather these toys and items to distribute. This year, we are starting our “Christmas in July” program, collecting and gathering toys and items in July for wrapping and distribution at Christmastime.  We need volunteers to help us gather and sort the items once they are received.

Contact: Jan Maseda
jmaseda@lsssc.org

Utility and Gas Assistance:

Gas Assistance:  From February 1 to May 1 only, applications are taken for gas assistance through United Way ’s program for Southern California Gas Company.  Registration and requirements apply.

Contact: Judith Aguilar, (818) 901-9480

Utility Assistance (DWP):  LSS refers those who need utility assistance to HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) (818) 837-1441 located @ 218 South Brand, San Fernando and also Pacoima Community Center (818)834-4161 located @11243 Glen Oaks Blvd, Pacoima (Mon. Wed. & Thu. 9am-3pm) 

Family Source Specialized Services Program

This program is designed to help poor, low-income families access public benefits for which they are eligible.   Tax credits, food stamps, WIC, subsidized health insurance, low-cost auto insurance and help with tax returns.

Contact:  Judith Aguilar, (818) 901-9480