Giving Back This Thanksgiving — Your Guide to Helping Those in Need
Whether it’s through donations or volunteering, there are many ways to give back to our community this year. The Halton Pardee + Partners Family wants to help make it easy for you to discover how this Thanksgiving.
Westside Food Bank
Westside Food Bank’s mission is to distribute as much food as possible to local agencies with food assistance programs and to reduce food waste on the Westside of Los Angeles County. As the food bank warehouse for the Westside since 1981, they annually distribute 4.5 million pounds of food to over 70 local social service agencies. They do not distribute food directly to individuals, only to agencies.
WHEN: See site for details on ways to volunteer/donate
WHERE: Westside Food Bank – 1710 22nd St., Santa Monica 90404
WEBSITE: westsidefoodbankca.org
24th Annual Homeless Feeding + Banner Creation by One Incredible Family
Help open cans, stir, cut, chop, mash, slice, bake, ladle, draw, color, be artistic, package, deliver, serve and INSPIRE!
Their focus is on Los Angeles County where they serve the elderly, the homeless, children whose lives have been impacted adversely by HIV/AIDS, and children who are abused, neglected, abandoned, orphaned, runaways, learning-disabled, at-risk or disadvantaged.
WHEN: Saturday, November 25, 6:30am-8:00pm
WHERE: Westchester Masonic Center – 7726 West Manchester Blvd, Playa del Rey 90293
WEBSITE: oneincrediblefamily.org
Operation Gobble by Los Angeles Food Bank
Please join them in their Annual Operation Gobble season at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank! Volunteers are needed to help sort, inspect, and repackage donated food items from local food drives. Help them help those in need by donating your time to fight hunger in our community this holiday season! **Once you register you will receive an email confirmation with all the logistics and forms.
WHEN: Throughout November (see site for variety of dates)
WHERE: LA Food Bank – 6055 E Randolph St., Commerce 90040
WEBSITE: lafoodbank.org
Westside Thanksgiving
They have over three decades of tradition serving the community a wonderful free sit-down Thanksgiving dinner. They also provide free haircuts, blankets, clothing, hygiene kits, medical, optical, and dental services, vaccination, a hold a resource fair and children’s carnival.
WHEN: Wednesday, November 22, 2:00-6:00pm + Thursday November 23, starting at 6:00am
WHERE: West LA Civic Center – 1645 Corinth Ave
SITE: westsidethanksgiving.org
Gobble Gobble Give
Gobble Gobble Give delivers food, clothing and toiletries to the homeless in eleven cities across the country on Thanksgiving morning. They’ve been doing it for 20 years, feeding more people in more cities every year.
What started with one person handing out 28 meals in 1998 has grown to over 17,000 meals served in 2015. Gobble Gobble Give has become an incredible example of what a community can do to create change.
WHEN: Thursday, November 23
WHERE: Downtown LA and Santa Monica (details for both locations are provided when you signup)
SITE: gobblegobblegive.org
Big Sunday’s 6th Annual Thanksgiving Stuffing Event by Big Sunday
Each year, Big Sunday wants to make sure everyone gets to celebrate Thanksgiving. Each year people from all over town join them as they fill bags with delicious holiday food for thousands of hungry and grateful people. Last year, they hosted over 1,200 volunteers and packed 2,250 bags. This year is sure to be even bigger and even more fun!
WHEN: Wednesday, November 22, 9:00am-12:00pm
WHERE: 6111 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles 90038
WEBSITE: bigsunday.org
Food on Foot
You can help distribute food and clothing to the homeless and poor on any Sunday, from 3:15pm to 5:00pm, in the Hollywood location (1625 N. Schrader Blvd.) Devoting 90 minutes of your time has a positive and heartwarming impact on the homeless that you serve. They are kid friendly too! They encourage you to bring your children and inspire them to give back to their community. (All children must be accompanied by an adult).
Volunteering requires a $20 per person donation, including children. ($100 on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve servings). Your gift will go towards funding for the food and gift cards you will help distribute on Sunday afternoon.
WHEN: Thursday, November 23, 2:00-5:00pm
WHERE: 1625 N. Schrader Blvd, Los Angeles 90028
WEBSITE: foodonfoot.org
Dinner in the Park by Union Station Homeless Services
This uplifting community event provides thousands of holiday meals and hope for all who attend, including homeless men, women, children, seniors, very low-income families and those with no place to go during the holidays. The impact of the event in the community is large because of your help!
WHEN: Thursday, November 23, 12:00-3:00pm
WHERE: Pasadena Central Park – 219 S. Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena 91105
WEBSITE: unionstationhs.org
**Please note that most volunteer opportunities require you to pre-register. Please be sure to read all the details on the websites provided. **
