Simi Valley is a great place to live, for many reasons. One aspect that keeps the community strong is the number of nonprofit organizations established here to serve residents and families.

This Sat., Nov. 15, two of the most important community organizations have scheduled events that all Simi Valley residents should participate in.

First, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be a Community Food and Supply Drive to benefit our local food bank, Care and Share. This is a challenging time of year for our food bank, and all residents should consider donating items such as nonperishable food, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bath soap, deodorant, shampoo, baby food and diapers to the following locations:

•Albertsons at Madera Road and Royal Avenue

•Wal-Mart at Cochran Street and Madera Road

•Trader Joe's in the Target Center on Cochran Street

•Jons Marketplace at Cochran Street and Tapo Canyon Road

•Pavilions at Alamo Street and Tapo Canyon Road

•Vons at Yosemite Avenue and Los Angeles Avenue

Within just the past few months, the number of households served by Care and Share each month rose from 500 to 1,350.

This drive is a joint project by the City's Youth Council and Neighborhood Councils.

For more information, please call the Community Services Department at (805) 583-6861.

Later on Saturday, the Free Clinic of Simi Valley will host its first Open House from 5 to 9 p.m. The event, open to the public, is an opportunity to tour the clinic, meet its staff and support its important programs.

The clinic is at 2060 Tapo St. The number of patient visits this year has increased fourfold.

For more information, visit www.freeclinicsv.com, or e-mail freeclinicsv@sbcglobal.net.

Nov. 15 will be a very special day for Simi Valley, and I hope all residents will take advantage of the opportunity to support two of our wonderful nonprofit organizations, Care and Share and the Free Clinic of Simi Valley. Keith Jajko Simi Valley