“Give us this day our daily bread”...

“Give us this day our daily bread” is a call to action for religious relief workers such as the Rev. Don Hargis, disaster relief coordinator for the Southern Baptist Convention who is overseeing preparation of about 90,000 hot meals daily for earthquake victims in Southern California.

The meals are cooked by Southern Baptist Convention and Seventh-day Adventist volunteers and distributed free by the Red Cross at Van Nuys Airport and four other locations in the San Fernando Valley.

Whether on the scene or behind it raising money and collecting clothing, furniture and household goods, religious communities are lending a hand and a dollar, moral support and spiritual succor to victims of the Jan. 17 earthquake.

Hargis, who is based in Fresno, has greeted about 200 Southern Baptist women and men who have taken time from their jobs in Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Mississippi and California to volunteer in trained units that operate field kitchens out of tractor-trailers and a commercial catering van. About 250 other volunteers have helped cleanup efforts.

Sixty Adventist volunteers a day staff two shifts in the denomination’s mobile kitchen. Unlike the Baptists, Adventists have used almost all local volunteers--more than 800 so far.

Religious relief workers are experienced with disasters and with Southern California. “We were here for the riots, feeding people, and to help people sandbag and clean up during the Malibu and Laguna fires,” Hargis said.

Hargis’ volunteers dish out religion with meals. “Always,” he said. “We always tell them that Jesus loves them and that’s why we go to help them.

“Anyone can offer help,” he added. “I believe that only God can offer hope, and I believe that that’s what people are looking for when everything is crumbling around them.”

The disaster relief ministry was founded 25 years ago, shortly after Southern Baptist scouts got caught in a hurricane near Corpus Christi, Tex., and began cooking food for the survivors. After the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, it signed an agreement with the American Red Cross to cook meals for disaster victims.

Although their disaster readiness may be more well-honed than that of some other religious organizations, the Baptists’ and Adventists’ spirit and sense of mission are emblematic of the response of religious communities across the board that are offering help on a non-sectarian basis.

Locally, the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council has been working to link resources and individuals in need. It is seeking donations of food, household goods and clothing, repair and building services. Call (818) 718-6460 for information or to request help.

The Seventh-day Adventists need local volunteers to service their kitchens. (818) 409-0114.

The Catholic Charities Earthquake Disaster Fund has been distributing goods so hurriedly that it is experiencing a shortage. For the addresses of drop-off points, call (213) 251-3400. (Monetary donations may be sent to 1400 W. 9th St., Los Angeles 90015.)

The Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles has established a relief fund and a hot line, and mobilized 16 agencies to address crisis relief issues of food, legal and employment needs, loans, and counseling, among others. Contact the Jewish Federation Council Earthquake Relief Fund, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90048. Prospective hot-line volunteers may call (800) 365-9065.

National and international organizations have also sprung into action.

Church World Service, affiliated with the National Council of the Churches of Christ, has issued an appeal for $500,000 to provide emergency and long-term assistance. (P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, Ind. 46515.)

The Conservative movement of Judaism has established the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Natural Disaster Relief Fund (155 5th Ave., New York, N.Y. 10010), and the Aid Assn. for Lutherans has stepped up its donation-matching program. (Aid Assn. for Lutherans, 431 N. Ballard Road, Appleton, Wis. 54919-0001.)

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America allocated $25,000 and called upon members to contribute to its Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Earthquake Victims Fund (10 E. 79th St., New York, N.Y. 10021).

Another offer of help came from Taiwan. The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu-Chi Foundation pledged $500,000 to help Santa Clarita Valley’s poorest residents displaced by the quake and also wants to aid Sylmar and Santa Monica quake victims.

Why do these groups and others want to help? Hargis says, “Within all of us there is that innate longing to help. I believe that when people hear there are others hurting, they think, ‘Hey, this could be me.’ ”

For the locations of Southern Baptist-Red Cross feeding stations, call (818) 781-3818. The California Southern Baptist Convention is accepting donations designated for disaster relief at 678 E. Shaw Ave., Fresno, Calif. 93710.

DATES

* A non-sectarian support group led by Jewish Family Service professionals has been formed on the Westside for people experiencing quake-related anxiety, depression and fears. People may call (310) 445-4271 or come at 4 p.m. any Thursday to 11646 W. Pico Blvd., Room 29.

* The 88th annual Japanese Presbyterian Conference (USA) will be held Friday through Feb. 13, at the Union Church of Los Angeles, with the Rev. Ted Esaki, pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as moderator. For registration information, call (213) 665-3581.

* “Congregations Together in Healing” is the title of the South Coast Ecumenical Council’s 41st Annual Assembly, to be held 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Los Altos United Methodist Church in Long Beach. The Rev. William Johnson, vice president of Southern Area Clergy Council, is the keynote speaker. Reservations are $10 and must be received by Wednesday. (310) 595-0268.

* The International Buddhist Meditation Center offers a women’s meditation retreat at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 12. Donations accepted. 928 S. New Hampshire Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 738-9952.

HONORS

The Rev. David J. Walker, founder and pastor of the Los Angeles Church of Religious Science, will receive a doctorate of religious science award at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Scottish Rite Auditorium. (213) 965-9200. . . . Best-selling author Rabbi Chaim Potok will speak at services and celebrations at Temple Beth Am Friday through Feb. 13 to dedicate the Rena E. Ganzberg Education Center of the temple’s Pressman Academy. For information, phone (310) 652-7353.

Notices may be sent to Southern California File by mail c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Calif. 90053, or by fax to (213) 237-4712. Items must be brief and arrive at least three weeks in advance of the event announced. Include a phone number, date, time and full address.