by PATRICK LEJTENYI

There's no shortage of organizations doing great work for the disadvantaged year-round, but Christmas is usually their crunch-time. Below is a list of some of the charities that depend on the kindness of strangers and are hoping that the season's mood opens some wallets.

St. James United Church The downtown church has a year-round food depot open every Thursday (except the next two Thursdays - Christmas and New Year's) and sends out food vouchers in the mail to needy families, often those of recent immigrants or refugees. They also collect toys, which are distributed to children at the Montreal City Mission. They are accepting donations, either cash or goods, all week. They're open from Monday to Thursday until 9 p.m., until 5 p.m. on Fridays, closed on Saturdays and are open for Sunday services. Donations are accepted at 1435 City Councillors. They can be reached at 288-9245.

St. James Drop-in Centre Attached to the church is the drop-in centre, which caters to the needs of mentally ill homeless people. They are gratefully accepting any and all kinds of donations, from cash, food and clothing to art supplies for their art therapy sessions to musical instruments. Everything they get, says a spokesperson, they get from the public. They also provide a receipt. They can be reached by snail mail at 1435 City Councillors, H3A 2E4, by phone at 288-0039 or in person from 11 a.m to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Welcome Hall Mission Going back over 110 years, this is one of the city's oldest non-profit community service organizations. Their annual Christmas toy giveaway has become a seasonal staple, and is constantly growing. On Dec. 6 they gave away toys to over 1,200 kids, and this week, from Sunday, Dec. 21 to Tuesday, Dec. 23, they'll be giving away over 4,000 food baskets. They are still accepting donations at the Family Services Centre at 604-606 de Courcelle in St-Henri. They can be reached at 937-9317. For more info on the Mission, visit www.mbawhm.com.

Santropol Roulant Everybody's favourite meals on wheels program is having a party of their own for clients, staff and volunteers on the morning of Friday, Dec. 19 at Else's (156 Roy E.), which is kindly donating the space for free. The rest of the world can do its part by either donating their money or their time - many of their volunteers are students who go home for the holidays, and so they need more people to visit their elderly clients and spend some quality time with them. They aren't accepting food, however, because they have a fixed, limited menu. They can be found at 4050 St-Urbain, www.santrapolroulant.org, corner Duluth, or reached at 284-9335.

AIDS Community Care Montreal The ACCM tries to enhance the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS and works in prevention, education and awareness. Last Saturday, Dec. 13, they had their annual Christmas party with clients, staff, volunteers and partners, but on Wednesday, Dec. 24, they are hosting their Holiday Open House, where they'll be serving 50 meals to their clients. Getting into the holiday spirits, says their fundraising director, is an important and useful way of breaking their social isolation. They're taking money and food, and can be reached at 527-0928; www.accmontreal.org.

Sun Youth The venerable Plateau charity and youth organization will be distributing Christmas baskets at their HQ on St-Urbain until Dec. 24 at 1 p.m. (except on Sunday, Dec. 21, when Sun Youth will be making deliveries). Families have until the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 19, to register for the baskets, which contain a fowl, some meats, soups, pasta, vegetables and, for kids under 12, a wrapped toy. Also, every day until Christmas Eve, Sun Youth will be giving away a new bike in a draw. They are accepting donations 24 hours a day either at their 4251 St-Urbain home or by phone at 842-6822. For more info visit www.sunyouthorg.com.

Herstreet - La rue de femmes The women's drop-in and shelter will be having their traditional Quebec Christmas dinner party for staff and clients on Dec. 24 and will chauffeur their non-resident members home at midnight. The 20 full-time residents will remain at the shelter. They are accepting donations of cash and clothing, but not food. They can be reached at 284-9665 or at 1050 Jeanne-Mance, H2Z 1L7.