Giveaway Distributes Food, Clothing to 3,000 in Need

Families began arriving as early as 7 a.m. for the fourth annual Tree of Life Ministries food giveaway Saturday.

Cindy Anderson, director of the program, and 150 volunteers were ready with 3 1/2 tons of bagged food and almost 3 tons of clothing at Valley Vineyard Christian Fellowship, where the program’s office is located.

“People were very generous this year. They donated all kinds of stuff,” Anderson said.

People are sometimes skeptical of donating, but when they ask Anderson how they know their offerings will benefit the needy, she invites them to buy food and come to the event to give it in person, she said.

Anderson’s involvement in the program, which also buys food from the L.A. Regional Food Bank, is full time. She has one part-time helper.

The Reseda Boulevard event had the look of a church bazaar as participants were offered free hot dogs, blood pressure screenings and free carwashes--all donated--while the “Rhythm and Praise Band” entertained.

“Putting it all together is like doing a wedding for 3,000 people,” Anderson said, referring to the number of people who attended.

Children were provided with fun at game booths, including the three-in-a-row toss, handled by volunteer Rob Rockacy. The Granada Hills resident rigged the results a bit in favor of the little ones, giving hints on how to throw and moving the target board within reach of smaller challengers such as Taryn Munro, 6.

Rockacy explained his reasons for volunteering: “Kids--it’s a good cause. It’s inspirational for the community. The whole positive thing.”

Pierce College nursing student Elizabeth Rooney helped with the free blood-pressure screenings.

“I know high blood pressure is a silent killer,” she said. “If I see someone who needs to have it checked, I refer them to get follow-up, to see a doctor or go to the nearest clinic.”

By 1 p.m. the food had been distributed to an estimated 1,500, and families continued to arrive.

Anderson’s brother, Philip Escalante, served the last of 2,500 hot dogs from the grill to late arrivals.

The only requirement to be eligible for the giveaways was “just showing up and just having fun,” Anderson said.

Anderson started Tree of Life in 1982 in her garage after her own family recovered from a devastating financial crisis. Saturday’s giveaway was, in part, fulfillment of a vow she made at that time to help others in need.

“It’s a privilege to be on this side of it,” she said.