PASADENA– Under clear blue skies, more than 850 volunteers of all ages – adorned with hair nets, aprons and plastic gloves – lovingly serve turkey with stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and pie to those less fortunate in Pasadena’s Central Park yesterday for Thanksgiving. Among those with ladle in hand included Pasadena’s Mayor Bogaard, Gene Masuda, Eric McCormack (Will and Grace), and Mike White (Enlightenment).
Union Station Homeless Services served more than 4,000 plates of food to homeless men, women, children, seniors, very low-income families, and those with no place to go during the holidays.
The beloved community tradition known as Dinner-in-the-Park began in 1972 when a group of local volunteers organized a free holiday meal to feed homeless and poor people in the community.
More than four decades later, Union Station Homeless Services continues to organize the annual meal as an expression of compassion and care for those who otherwise might not see such holiday fare.
This year the traditional continued with the help of volunteers, and key community partners, including Goldstar, Home Street Bank, Tsutayo Ichioka & Satsuki Nakao Charitable Foundation, Super King, Unified Grovers, Longo Toyoto-Scion-Lexus, Sprouts Famers Market, Sempra Energy Foundation, Smart and Final, Centerplate, and the Pasadena Convention Center.
“We are so grateful to the caring volunteers who bring warmth and the true spirit of community to Central Park each year, said Marv Gross, CEO of Union Station Homeless Services. “Their efforts to help us feed thousands of people is truly inspirational!”
Volunteer registration for Christmas Dinner in the Park opens on Dec 1 at 8a on the agencies website: www.unionsttionhs.org. A Wish List of much needed items can be found at http://unionstationhs.org/?p=3570.The community is invited to drop off these supplies (in the indicated sizes) at 412 S. Raymond.
