Long Beach’s nonprofit community has once again come out in full force for the season of giving. Several organizations and community members have come together throughout November to ensure that Long Beach families and people in need can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.
Over the past weekend, free groceries were distributed for holiday meals.
Local Hearts Foundation held a giveaway on Saturday, Nov. 22, which gave more than a thousand families the supplies to have a Thanksgiving meal — including turkeys, fresh produce, and even warm clothing. The next day, more than 40 partners came together for the fourth annual Thanksgiving Grocery Giveaway hosted by The SIX. More than 190 families were served, organizers said.
The spirit of giving continued throughout the week. At the Greater Harvest Church on Wednesday, Nov. 26, more than 200 families were provided with Thanksgiving grocery bags, including a frozen turkey and traditional trimmings, distributed by youth-led nonprofit Ella’s Angels in collaboration with the church.
“This means a lot to me,” Ella Shahbazian, founder of Ella’s Angels, said ahead of the event. “I love helping people, and I’m excited to be able to see their faces when we’re handing out the meals to them. I feel like it’s going to leave a really big impact on me because maybe without this, they wouldn’t have had a Thanksgiving meal to eat with their families.”
Long Beach Rescue Mission also held its annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday evening. The nonprofit served a warm and delicious Thanksgiving meal for those in need in the community as they enjoyed music played by the Long Beach Blues Society.
On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, the Long Beach Rescue Mission will hold its annual breakfast, which brings community members together for the holiday.
Festivities will continue throughout the weekend as well.
This year, Christian Outreach in Action once again has offered three opportunities to support and connect with those in need this holiday season through their annual turkey basket distribution, Thanksgiving Feast and Blessings Bags distribution.
The turkey baskets were distributed to Long Beach community members on Monday and Tuesday, which included a turkey, a pie, and all the classic trimmings, organizers said.
The nonprofit will be hosting its Thanksgiving Feast on Saturday, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., where people can enjoy a sit-down Thanksgiving meal with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, rolls, vegetables, pie and more. No registration is required to attend the event located at 515 E. Third St.
Later in the day, they will be hosting their Blessing Bags distribution from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. People can pick up a blessing bag filled with groceries. Christian Outreach in Action offers both cooking and non-cooking options for those without kitchen access; no registration is necessary.