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# Holiday ‘gift’ handouts
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/holiday-gift-handouts/
- Published: 2002-12-19T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T01:08:48.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Community, Brentwood, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Daily Press staff*

As the number of homeless people and families in Los Angeles continues to increase, a group of citizens calling themselves “The Giving Gift” has come together to collect, package and distribute food, toiletries, blankets and clothes to the less fortunate.

On December 14, The Giving Gift began its distribution program at the Brentwood Presbyterian Church and stopped by Santa Monica to hand out large, blue duffle bags filled with essentials.

The Giving Gift began in 1999 when a group of friends in the Los Angeles area decided they were tired of seeing the homeless being ignored. With donations from family and friends, the group put together bags of supplies to hand out. Over the past three years, The Giving Gift has distributed more than 350 bags to homeless men, women and children in the greater Los Angeles area.

Funding for this project comes from donations, and at least 95 cents from each dollar goes toward supplies. Last year, the group raised $12,000 and helped more than 200 people. This year, The Giving Gift’s goal is to raise $20,000 and reach out to 400 people. For donations or more information, contact Tom Bagamane at (310) 463-1133.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/121902-07_01.jpg)

A woman gathers packages for the homeless as part of ‘The Giving Gift’ program, which hands out food and clothing. (Photo: Photo courtesy)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 19, 2002.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/121902.pdf?ref=smdp.com)