Help the Children provides assistance to seniors in need
Years after he and his wife were living in a homeless encampment in Agua Dulce, Joseph Cervantes made his way to Help the Children in Santa Clarita to pick up groceries for them on Saturday.
“We’re surviving, and that’s the most important thing now,” he said.
Though the name would suggest it’s intended for children only, a steady stream of seniors regularly stops by Help the Children to pick up groceries, clothes and medical supplies.
“We see seniors that are just on such a fixed income that they can’t afford food,” said David Stratton, executive director of Help the Children. “They pay their rent or they have their housing, and just don’t have enough to have what they need.”
Cervantes and his wife, Martha, became homeless after she had a stroke and then was diagnosed with cancer two years later. Cervantes’ daughter-inlaw told them about Help the Children, which he passed along to friends going through similar situations.
About the agency
Help the Children was founded more than 20 years ago in Montebello by Roxana Presgrove and her husband, Roger. Following his death, she continued to expand and lead the organization, moving it to Santa Clarita.
“We greet them at the front, and ... we’ll have one of our shoppers along with them, so they’ll have a personal shopper, and the items they pick, they’ll put them in a box,” Presgrove said. “They’ll go with them, chat and say ‘Hi’ along the way and, once they’re finished, they’ll have a few boxes’ worth of food.”
Upon arrival, individuals or families can browse through the pantry with different items to choose from. Once they’re ready to leave, volunteers help bag their items, check out items — though shoppers do not pay for items they choose — and will help carry bags to their car, or even help deliver for those with disabilities, according to Stratton.
Items, including canned goods and produce, are donated by residents and groups who want to help.
Elizabeth Kern and her neighbor, Linda Gaines, both stopped at Help the Children after they said their rent prices went up. They live off their Social Security income, and both said they might have to move and live with family outside of California.
“Every day is a survival mode for me,” Kern said.
Kern was notified about Help the Children by Nikki Cervantes (no relation to Joseph), facilitator of the Second Career Center at the SCV Senior Center. She took Gaines with her, and they ate homemade soup served to guests. Gaines said it was a blessing.
Those who wish to donate money or items to Help the Children can go to their website at helpthechildren.org.