Area church volunteers seek donations

Members of three Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conferences in the area are seeking donations of food, toys and financial assistance as they prepare to help numerous disadvantaged families and individuals this Christmas.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conferences are volunteer organizations that provide assistance all year to the homeless, the working poor and others in need.

Three area conference are seeking donations that will benefit hundreds of area families.

* Society of St. Vincent de Paul's St. Madeleine Conference in Pomona needs new unwrapped toys for 150 boys and girls ages 12 and under.

To assemble food baskets for 75 families, volunteers need frozen turkeys or canned hams, yams, rolls, instant potatoes, pies, macaroni, loaves of bread, canned fruits and vegetables and candy.

Financial donations to purchase the necessary food and toys will also be accepted.

Checks can be mailed to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Madeleine Conference, 931 E. Kingsley Ave., Pomona 91767. Checks should have "2010 SVdP Christmas Help" written on them.

Donations can be dropped off at the Kingsley address until Dec. 16. Information: 909-865-4433

* Society of St. Vincent de Paul's St. Joseph Conference needs new, unwrapped toys for distribution to 300 boys and girls ages 11 and under.

Volunteers need sufficient food to distribute to 100 families. Needed are canned hams, fruit and vegetables; rice and beans in bags; and pies.

The volunteers have an Adopt-A-Family program through which sponsors can adopt one of 25 needy families.

Each sponsor is responsible for providing gifts and food for the family.

Those interested in adopting a family should contact the organization between Dec. 7 and 17 to select a family.

Financial gifts can be mailed to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Joseph Conference, 1150 W. Holt Ave., Pomona 91768 and marked with "2010 SVdP Christmas Help."

Donations also can be dropped off at the West Holt address from 9 a.m. to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until Dec. 20.

Information: 909-469-9773.

* The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Holy Name of Mary Conference needs toys for 400 boys and girls ages 17 and under.

Volunteers need frozen turkeys, canned yams, fruit and cranberries for 200 families.

This conference has 10 families in its Adopt-A-Family program.

Sponsors who adopt families will be responsible for providing gifts and food for the family they select.

Deadline to select a family is Friday.

Financial donations for the purchase of toys and food can be mailed to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Holy Name of Mary Conference, 724 E. Bonita Ave., San Dimas 91773 marked with "2010 SVdP Christmas Help."

Donations can be dropped off at the Bonita Avenue address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, until Dec. 17.

Information: 909-599-1243, ext. 138.

For more information about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's local charitable programs go to www.svdpla.org or call 323-224-6298.