Barbara Casciano grew up in a Sicilian-heritage household south of downtown Los Angeles. Her Sicilian parents belonged to Transfiguration Parish; her father had a barbershop on the corner of then-Santa Barbara Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard, and her mother was a factory supervisor at Catalina Knits.

Mrs. Casciano cooked in the old Sicilian way and the Casciano home was always a place where anyone would be welcome at the dinner table, regardless of skin color or religion. There was always room at the dinner table.

After high school Barbara worked for Carnation, where she met her future husband Ralph Ausburn who became an executive with Carnation. Their life together became the corporate life, until one day Barbara realized that "one can only play so much golf." She and Ralph had never been able to have children and Barbara realized that she wanted to do something more than golf, travel and give parties.

She looked into Volunteer Services of Van Nuys and was referred to the then three-year-old outreach center, Loaves and Fishes II. And for 18 years since then, she has been volunteer director for the center, located at 14640 Keniston Street, near Van Nuys Boulevard.

It is a busy place, distributing food and clothing for needy families (about 250-300 a month), and providing clothing, sack meals and toiletries to the homeless (15,000 a year). More than 20 regular volunteers who spend full days Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are assisted by teen volunteers from St. Genevieve, Louisville, Chaminade, Crespi, Marymount, Stephen S. Wise Temple, Harvard-Westlake and other area high schools.

Loaves and Fishes II has made a difference in the lives of those they serve, beyond addressing their needs for food and clothing. Ten years ago Alfonso Urbina came to the center, unemployed and needing clothes; now, employed and earning $9 an hour after two raises, he volunteers at Loaves and Fishes on his days off.

"It's a great place," says Alfonso. "I like to help people who need help, who need food and clothes."

The fact that he is working, he says, helps him feel "more better," yet he continues to help out at Loaves and Fishes. "I don't drive and I take the bus. Sometimes I see people just lying on the ground and I cry. This place should be here, not only for me but for thousands of other people. Me, I don't have to be rich. Whatever I have I give to whoever is in need."

To meet clients' needs, Barbara seeks donations from businesses, schools and individual donors, and her office is filled with thank-you posters from those who have become involved at Loaves and Fishes II. But the center is in need, too --- of groceries or scrip for markets, diapers, baby food, baby formula, toiletries for the homeless, men's clothing, socks for the homeless. With Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays coming, Barbara fears that Loaves and Fishes II might not have enough to serve those who come for assistance.

That leads to another concern: the cost of keeping Loaves and Fishes II open, even though no one on staff is paid. Barbara must raise the money to pay for rent ($25,000 a year), utilities and supplies, and when money is donated it is usually used for immediate needs when supplies run short.

"I am working hard to keep this place going," says Barbara. "But I need help."

Whatever help may be on the way, however, Barbara Ausburn and her staff of volunteers continue to serve those in need, mindful of the example set by her own mother many years ago.

"As long as our doors are open," she says, "these people --- our Loaves and Fishes II neighbors in need --- are always welcome to come to our house."

For information on how to assist Loaves and Fishes II, call (818) 997-0943. Other Loaves and Fishes centers are located in Glendale, (818) 409-3080; San Fernando, (818) 365-3194; and Canoga Park, (818) 340-2050.