"We're used to seeing low-income people and seniors on a fixed income coming in. Now we're seeing more and more middle-class people coming in -- people who just lost their job, are trying to pay their mortgage, or tapping into their 401(k) because of the huge financial losses," said Darren Hoffman, a spokesman for the regional food bank.
Saturday's event was sponsored by Heart of Compassion, a Montebello faith-based nonprofit food bank. Organizers were surprised by the large turnout -- more than double than expected -- because they did not heavily advertise the event.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Tuesday, December 02, 2008 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 57 words Type of Material: Correction
Mortgage workshop: An article in the Nov. 23 California section about events aimed at helping families in hard economic times said that a workshop to assist IndyMac Federal Bank customers falling behind on mortgage payments would be held today in Riverside. The event is Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Ave.
But before dawn, a line of 500 had already gathered in the park for the 10 a.m. opening. By noon, thousands of people stood in the warm November sun. Those in line hardly spoke, gazing into the park or holding on to restless children.
When they approached the makeshift food bank -- a collection of blue-and-white tents in a parking lot -- each family took a metal shopping cart and steered it down a line of volunteers, receiving bags of oranges, cantaloupes, celery, cereal, tomatoes, pumpkin pies, yogurt, bottles of cooking oil and loaves of bread, among other items.
Natalie Gomez, 25, held her purse and a single balloon for her 4-year-old daughter, who fidgeted during the five-hour wait. The Montebello woman said her husband's employer, a printing company, cut his hours because of decreasing business.
"It's my first time here at an event like this," said Gomez in a quiet, tired voice.
Martha Garcia, 36, of Pico Rivera, said she needed the donated food to offer some semblance of a feast this week. Garcia said most of her money is being saved for her 10-month-old son, who needs surgery.
The donated food will help, she said. But there were no turkeys available.
"On Thanksgiving," she said, "I won't have enough food."
Looking for breaks
Homeowners in Van Nuys received food for thought Saturday for their most nail-biting problem: making the monthly mortgage payment.
In a move designed to help troubled homeowners, IndyMac Federal Bank, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and Los Angeles Neighborhood Housing Service sent letters to 4,000 local residents inviting them to attend a so-called Home Preservation Day. The FDIC, which took over troubled IndyMac in July, launched the loan modification program in August.
The program's goal is to reduce monthly mortgage costs to a maximum of 38% of the borrower's pretax income. IndyMac officials calculate that can save the typical borrower $380 a month.
