Community Unites to Feed Thousands in Need at Union Station Homeless Services’ Annual Dinners-in-the-Park

Under clear blue skies, more than 850 volunteers of all ages – adorned with hair nets, aprons and plastic gloves – lovingly served 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, Councilmember 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 8:00 a.m. 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.

Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. Union Station Homeless Services is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community. We are the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. We believe every person deserves a life of dignity and a safe place to call home. With 41 years of experience, we proudly offer a full continuum of eight programs in seven locations; services include street outreach, intake/assessment, care coordination and navigation, meals, shelter, housing, employment development, benefits enrollment, and referrals to medical and mental health services.