FAITH IN ACTION—Simi Hills Christian Church secretary Shelly Freed filled backpacks for homeless youths over the holidays, and is continuing to collect toys from church and community members for needy children. IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers As director of the children’s ministry at Simi Hills Christian Church, Shelly Freed routinely attends the city’s Homeless Task Force meetings. Late last year, Freed became interested in what was being done to help disadvantaged children in the community.

“Shelly went to a meeting and had a desire to work with homeless children here in Simi Valley, those living in cars, in garages and such places,” said Kevin Dieckilman, pastor of the Walnut Street church.

In November, Freed started an outreach program called Bare Essentials, and she began collecting items to fill backpacks for kids.

“The needy children in our community weighed on my heart. I announced to my church what I wanted to do and had their full support,” said Freed, who works in the church office and joined the 120member congregation last year.

To find out how many students were homeless, Freed first contacted the Simi Valley Unified School District. The district gave Freed an estimate of 124 children, but wasn’t helpful about where to deliver the donated goods.

Freed then tried a different approach—contacting the principal at every SVUSD school.

“I went to each school and introduced myself. The principals identified the needy children at their school as to age and gender but not by name,” Freed said. “Some schools didn’t have needy and some had as high as 22 children needy or homeless.

“The number grew from (the district’s estimate of) 124 children to 201. This includes elementary, junior high and high schools,” Freed continued. “We had to keep running out buying more backpacks and supplies.”

Volunteers from Simi Hills and other local churches raised money to buy supplies for the backpacks, including blankets, pencils, notebooks, candy and toiletries.

Each elementary student also received two toys to unwrap. The high school students got gift cards to stores and eateries. A local dentist donated toothbrushes and toothpaste and offered free dental work for any child in need.

Freed estimated goods valued at $30 to $40 filled each backpack. She was able to include so many items due to unexpected donations from local businesses.

“I went to Play It Again Sports without any intention of asking for a donation. I had money from the sponsors,” Freed said. “The store’s owner saw me with 30 handballs and asked what they were for. I explained and he charged me less than half-price.”

The owner of another shop gave her a deep discount on a cart full of teddy bears.

Freed and her husband, Bill, a construction worker, have three children.

“On Christmas Eve,” the ministry director said, “I went to Simi Bike Works to pick up a bike I’d bought for my son as a Christmas present. I told the owner about our backpack drive. (He) donated a bike and helmet to give to a needy child.

“I just cried, I was so touched by the offer.”

In addition to local donors, the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles pitched in to help.

“We work to bridge the gap between Jews and Christians,” Dieckilman said. “Some of our Jewish friends heard about what Shelly was doing. They offered her the opportunity to pick out anything she wanted for the backpacks from their inventory of 10,000 toys.”

As more children were added to the list and the Christmas break was fast approaching, Freed and other volunteers had to scramble to fill all the backpacks and deliver them to the school principals to distribute.

“At first I felt like Santa Claus—I had a time limit and I had so many places to go,” Freed said. “I learned there are so many doors open to help the needy and kind people to help.”

Freed and Dieckilman plan to expand the program.

“We’re going to continue to help the needy and homeless children in our school system,” Freed said. “I already have a donation of two plastic bags filled with stuffed bunnies for Easter.”

For information or to donate, please go to www.simihills.com or call the church office at (805) 527-0123.