Giving Thanks By Giving Back: Union Station Homeless Services Feeds Thousands in Need at Annual Dinner-in-the-Park

Community members of the City of Pasadena know that the best way to give thanks is to give back. More than 850 volunteers of all ages will gather together on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day to serve at Union Station Homeless Services’ annual Dinner-in-the-Park events. Food is served at noon.

For more than 40 years, this beloved tradition has been the staple event for the community during the holiday season. Thousands of volunteers have helped prepare and serve meals – including turkey with stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and pie – to all who are hungry at Pasadena’s Central Park on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Union Station Homeless Services expects to serve more than 4,000 plates of food this Thanksgiving, November 26th . The event will feed thousands thanks to the help of volunteers, and key community partners, including the Tsutayo Ichioka & Satsuki Nakao Charitable Foundation, Longo Toyota, Chipotle, Whole Foods, Centerplate, Kids Klub, Super King Markets, Pasadena Federal Credit Union, Homestreet Bank, Dove Properties, and more.

“The Pasadena Convention Center and Centerplate is thrilled to support Union Station Homeless Services by preparing turkeys for Dinner-in-the-Park,” said Michael Ross, CEO, Pasadena Center Operating Company. “We applaud Union Station’s work to serve thousands of meals to the hungry and homeless during the holiday season and are pleased to participate in such a worthwhile cause.”

Dinner-in-the-Park meal recipients include adults and families experiencing homelessness and poverty, senior citizens, and those who are alone at the holidays or unable to afford such holiday fare. Union Station encourages all who have no place to go during the holidays to come enjoy a meal. All who are able to help are invited to donate their time, food items or funds to this valuable holiday outreach program.

“Dinner-in-the-Park is truly a community event and simply would not be possible without the help of dedicated volunteers and dozens of businesses who make this event such a success,” said Marv Gross, CEO of Union Station.

“The event brings the community together even if it is for one day. Hopefully, one day leads to another and another and so on and so on. Thank you Union Station for all you for the community,” said Ginger Mort, member of the Los Angeles Disney VoluntEAR Leadership Council and a Union Station Dinner-in-the-Park volunteer since 2001.

Volunteer registration for Thanksgiving opens on November 1. Union Station Homeless Services is in need of non-perishable food donations. A Wish List of much needed items can be found at http://unionstationhs.org/event/dinner-in-the-park-2015/. The community is invited to drop off these supplies (in the indicated sizes) at 412 S. Raymond.

Please Note: Due to Health Department regulations, Union Station Homeless Services is no longer able to accept turkey or prepared food donations at the event.

About Union Station Homeless Services: 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. Headquartered in Pasadena, 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 over 40 years of experience, we proudly offer a full continuum of nine programs throughout the San Gabriel Valley; 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.