By Natalie MAIER

Throughout this holiday season, the Tujunga United Methodist Church and Chapel of the Hills are just a few local organizations that are accepting donations for their food banks.

The Tujunga United Methodist Church is open to drop off canned goods Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. It is located at 9901 Tujunga Canyon Blvd.

“We appreciate anything we get and we can usually work with anything we get,” said Loretta Colele, leader of the Tujunga United Methodist Church food bank.

Colele added that they also accept donations of clothes, especially winter coats, for this time of year.

“If you have an abundance [of food] and you don’t know what to do with your canned goods, this is a busy season and more people come at this time of the year [to get food],” Colele said.

Chapel of the Hills is also accepting food donations for the holiday season.

According to Pattee Colzin, leader of the Chapel of the Hills food bank, donations are low this year.

“Our food pantry is very down,” Colzin said. “Our canned food is practically gone this year.”

Both the Tujunga United Methodist Church and Chapel of the Hills are asking for non-perishable food items such as canned goods, pasta, and macaroni and cheese.

Colizin added that each Saturday, they serve between 40 and 60 local families, mostly those in the Sunland-Tujunga area.

Chapel of the Hills will also be providing a free community Christmas meal on Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. at the church.

“We served about 230 people at the Thanksgiving meal,” said Colzin. “During the holidays there are so many people in need.”

Anyone interested in donating to the Chapel of the Hills food bank, they are open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are located at 11120 Oro Vista Ave. in Sunland. For more information, call Pattee Colzin at (818) 433-2148.

  Natalie MAIER