The Midnight Mission will be among multiple organizations serving free Thanksgiving meals to homeless and indigent individuals in Los Angeles County Thursday, with nearly 2,000 homeless and near-homeless people expected.
Sixth Street in front of the mission in downtown Los Angeles will be closed as staff and volunteers serve 3,500 pounds of turkey and 500 pounds of stuffing, topped by 50 gallons of gravy, along with 3,500 pounds of oven-baked glazed ham, 1,000 pounds of garlic mashed potatoes, 750 pounds of seasonal vegetables, 250 pounds of cranberry sauce, 300 pounds of dinner rolls and 300 pounds of holiday dessert, according to Georgia Berkovich, the mission’s chief communications officer.
Mr. T and fellow actors Amanda Peet and Sarah Paulson will be among the volunteers.
“Of the many services The Midnight provides to our unique community, one of the most important is the sense of family we offer to those who often feel lost and forgotten during the holidays and other days of celebration,” Berkovich said. “Now, more than ever, we must work together to restore hope and dignity to those in need.”
Laugh Factory Hollywood is expecting more than 2,000 people for its annual free Thanksgiving feast, continuing a tradition begun in 1979, just a week after the club opened, with a small event that served 71 comedians who were away from home and their children.
Tim Allen, Tiffany Haddish and Craig Robinson will be among the comedians serving and performing. Seatings will be at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
“Spending the Thanksgiving holiday alone is no laughing matter,” said Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada, who encouraged the public to spread the word about the event.
The Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck, billed by organizers as “Los Angeles’ largest in-person vegan event for the holiday,” will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2551 Motor Ave., near the Cheviot Hills Recreation Center.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger will be among the volunteers helping prepare and meals at Project Angel Food’s temporary location at Amped Kitchen in Lincoln Heights. Project Angel Food delivers medically tailored meals to more than 2,500 critically ill men, women and children in Los Angeles County daily and more than 1.5 million meals each year.
Several distance runs are happening, including the Drumstick Dash, billed by organizers as the largest Thanksgiving Day run in Los Angeles County with approximately 7,500 participants expected to run in either the 5K or 10K through North Hollywood’s Arts District.
Both the 5K and 10K will begin at 9 a.m. near the intersection of Lankershim and Chandler boulevards.
The event benefits Hope the Mission, a nonprofit organization that seeks to prevent, reduce and eliminate poverty, hunger and homelessness.
Turkey Trot Los Angeles in downtown Los Angeles raises money for The Midnight Mission’s programs finding ways to self-sufficiency for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The event consists of a mile-long Dog Jog at 7:30 a.m., a 5K starting in waves at 8 and 8:15 a.m., the 10K at 9 a.m. and a quarter-mile “Widdle Wobble” for “kids of all ages”’ at 10:15 a.m.
There is a new course for the 10K, which begins at City Hall, loops up and around Bunker Hill, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, into Filipino Town, then onto Spring Street. Runners will do a U-turn at Ninth Street and then return to City Hall for the finish.
The 44th annual Harry Sutter Memorial Turkey Trot 3-mile fun run will begin at 8 a.m. in the Sam’s Club parking lot at the Torrance Crossroads Center. The run is conducted by the Torrance Community Services Department which is inviting runners and spectators to bring a can of food for a special Thanksgiving Food Drive. The canned foods will be distributed to people in need throughout the South Bay.
Other runs Thursday include the 31st annual Thanksgiving Day Run & Food Drive in La Cañada Flintridge, the 10th annual Pacific Palisades Turkey Trot, the 16th annual College of the Canyons Turkey Trot in Valencia and the Thanksgiving 5K, 10K, 15K and Half Marathon on a beach path in Santa Monica.
The fourth annual Skatesgiving 10K skate race and food drive for skateboarders, roller skaters and inline skaters will begin at 9 a.m. at Barnard Way Linear Park in Santa Monica with registration beginning at 8 a.m.