SOUTHWEST AREA : 2 Quake Relief Projects Aid Victims

Two forms of relief were set up last week in Southwest Los Angeles to aid individuals and businesses still in need after the Jan. 17 earthquake.

West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Jefferson Park joined forces with the Salvation Army to set up a disaster relief center for displaced individuals and families at the church-owned 20th Century Plastics building at 3628 Crenshaw Blvd. West Angeles communications director James Thomas said the timing of the joint venture could not have been better.

“The social services department at the church was running out of resources, and the need was growing,” Thomas said. “We’ve seen so many first-timers since the quake. Fortunately, the Salvation Army happened to hear we were concerned with helping people in Central L.A., and they got together with us. They have the resources, we have the space. It was ideal.”

Thomas said the center, which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, anticipates staying in operation for at least another week. Volunteer workers are distributing food, blankets and sleeping bags to crowds that have averaged 2,500 per day since the center opened on Monday, said Thomas.

To aid small businesses, Operation Hope announced last week the start of a program that will provide businesses with office furniture and supplies lost or damaged in the quake. Called the OHLA In-Kind Mini-Grant program, the project awards grants for up to $5,000 worth of office chairs, desks, file cabinets, typewriters, fax machines and other equipment.

Processing centers are at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in West Adams, the San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Korean Youth Community Center in Mid-Wilshire and El Centro Pueblo in Echo Park.

The program has received $500,000 in office equipment from Imperial Thrift & Loan, First Federal Bank, 3 Day Blinds Inc., United Parcel Service, First State Bank of Southern California, Southern California Savings, the accounting firm Duitch and Franklin, and J & D Graphics. Applicants must have had earthquake-related damage, be underinsured or demonstrate a general need for equipment.

“I was ready to spend $3,000 on office furniture, but now I don’t have to,” said grant recipient Jimmy Dodson, who owns Banjo’s Yogurt and Deli in Leimert Park. “As a small business, it’s great that I can conserve what capital I can.”