This year, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels' Adopt-A-Family program plans to assist more than 300 families with food, clothing and other essentials to be presented in gift baskets on Dec. 16.

Among the most desired items are warm clothing, blankets, furniture and toys, as well as canned and/or boxed foods and school supplies. Cash contributions are also welcome to assist families, some of whose stories are described below.

For information on donations or assisting as a volunteer, contact Lydia Gamboa, (213) 637-7501, or visit www.olacathedral.org, and click on the Adopt-A-Family link on the home page.

Family #B36: For Luis and Carmella, living in a 12 x 12 room and sharing a bathroom and kitchen with four other families has been very stressful for not only them but their two teen daughters. All the families have a designated time to use the kitchen and shower. Luis is a street vendor in the garment district and his income varies from week to week depending on workload. Keeping food and a roof over their heads is a top priority. Luis is hoping to find a steady job in a factory so they will have a steady income and not depend on the local church for food twice a month.

Family #B37: The Garcia family live in a one-room apartment with their own kitchen and bathroom. Mom, Dad and 10-year-old Steven are hoping that 2007 will be a better year for them. The father works hard as a day laborer with long hours. The first thing you notice in their apartment is there are no beds for them --- they all sleep on the floor on blankets and cushions. When asked what they need most, the mom answers food and warm clothes for the upcoming winter. She stated that they don't care about sleeping on the floor, but when money falls short and there is not enough money to buy the food that is needed, it is very hard, especially for their son, to understand.

Family #B39: The Lopez family --- mom, dad and three children --- live in a housing project in downtown Los Angeles. Help with adult diapers would be a special gift for their 15-year-old daughter who suffers from cerebral palsy. The mother told us that the rising cost of the diapers hits the family hard when they have so little money. And since her daughter needs help with her daily care, the mother cannot work.

Family #B04: Paying $425 a month for rent with an income of $850 a month does not go very far to support a family of four. The single mom with three children works long hours at a garment district job in downtown Los Angeles, and depends on a neighbor to watch her children after they arrive home from school. They have a full-sized bed for all of them to sleep on and the mother worries with the winter months coming up she will not be able to afford the much-needed warm clothes or a portable heater. She was so grateful to know that we will be bringing gifts and food for them on December 16.