November 27, 2014

By Brian Carter 

Staff Writer

 

It never fails, the spirit of giving, it  manages to fall on the hearts of countless organizations, churches and groups every Thanksgiving. Maybe now, more  than  ever,

there  are needy  families  across  the nation  that  can’t  afford  a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings.

In  the Crenshaw District and surrounding areas, numerous organizations, churches and  businesses are  offering a Thanksgiving dinner or place for families to fellowship and hear a word of encouragement.    

Mother’s In Action  (MIA),  Jackson Limousine (JLS), countless churches and other organizations and businesses will feed thousands for Thanksgiving this year.

 

At  the  Ward  Villa  Senior Complex,  MIA  continues in the legacy and honor of the late Lillian Mobely and Brenda  Marsh-Mitchell, both of whom have brought countless  Thanksgiving  Day  dinners  to  senior citizens  and

their  invited guests   and   families.   Together with Jackie Dupont Walker,  director  of  Ward Economic Development Corporation  and  on  the Board  of  Directors  of  the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit

Authority, MIA along  with  countless volunteers make this event happen every year. 

This Thanksgiving  event  manages  to  reach thousands of families throughout the Greater Los Angeles  area, as well as hundreds of seniors and guests fed at Ward Villa.

 

Local churches in the community will  be  feeding needy families during  Thanksgiving  both physically and spiritually  through  outreach  and church  services.  

Churches around South L.A. will be offering a variety of services from serving food to special Thanksgiving services.

Bethel A.M.E. Church will be having Thanksgiving Worship at 10 a.m., at 7900 South  Western  Avenue in Los  Angeles,  said  Pastor Kelvin T. Calloway.

 

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church will present its Annual Community Thanksgiving Feeding on  Wednesday,  November 26, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., at  2009  West Martin Luther King Boulevard in Los Angeles.  

Pastor  Sylvester Washington  said,  “In  addition to food and fellowship, we will have a clothes giveaway.”  

Southern  Missionary Baptist Church kicked-off  its  Pre-Thanksgiving  Service  Project  by distributing 1,000 lunches to people in need living in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday,   November   22, said Pastor Xavier Thompson.  Thanksgiving Day Worship will be held at 10a.m.,  in  the  sanctuary  located at 4678 West Adams Boulevard in Los Angeles.

 

JLS  and  its  founder  and president,  E.J. Jackson have been making Thanksgiving  dreams  come  true for the local community for years  at  their  business  on Slauson Avenue.

JLS’ Annual  Thanksgiving  giveaway  lines wrap around and down corners in South L.A.  with  families  looking to give their children a Thanksgiving. On Tuesday, November 25, thousands of people will wait for hours for a

chance  to  receive  a turkey dinner from the limousine owner, who gets to be  “Mr.  Turkey”  for  one day out of the year. 

"As in the past and seen on television, a vast majority of our recipients come from a diversity of multi-cultural and ethnic backgrounds,” stated Jackson.  “Many come with their entire family including their  small children

who patiently line up days in advance. Some participants come  in  their wheelchairs, with their canes, with sleeping bags, with  seeing-eye  dogs,  on oxygen  tanks  and  host  of other variables, to ensure they  receive  

full  Thanksgiving groceries. 

“Our   give   away   allows families to prepare Thanksgiving dinner in their own family environment because  it  is  about  keeping families together, restoring human  dignity,  honor  and hope.”

 

The LA Galaxy and Herbalife will partner with A Place Called  Home  on  Thanksgiving.  On  November  26, Wednesday  morning,  L.A. Galaxy  players,  Herbalife Chairman   and   CEO   Michael O. Johnson and Herbalife

President Des Walsh, will distribute 550 turkeys and groceries to Angelenos at  A  Place  Called  Home located  at  2901 S  Central Ave in Los  Angeles,  CA 90011. 

L.A. Galaxy players and Herbalife staff will be serving Thanksgiving dinner,  bussing  tables  and spending time with the over 1,200 community members. Event beings at 8am and  for  more  information please visit www.apch.org.

 

Councilmember Bernard C. Parks will be giving away150 turkeys to 8th district for his 12th Annual Turkey Giveaway on Tuesday, November 25, from 5:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.  This is the last turkey giveaway he will put

on as his term ends June 30,2015.  Individuals who reserved a turkey in advance (one per household)  will come  to  Parks’  Constituent Service Center to claim their holiday bird.

 

Numero Uno Market, a valuable member of the community, has also graciously donated gift cards to the guests.

 

The events and giveaways prove  a  glaring  fact:the community cares about its own.  Because  of  the  outreach of countless individuals, countless families will be able to sit around the table and give thanks for the

food, clothes and spiritual bread  they  have  receive. We can all be thankful that we have a loving and giving community. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

 

 

 

Category: Cover Stories