Amid growing concerns about food insecurity in the Southland and across the country, thousands of turkeys and holiday meal provisions were handed out to needy families Tuesday at a series of area giveaway events.
Inner-City Games and Hollenbeck Police Business Council distributed about 1,000 turkeys and holiday sides to families at the 44th annual Miracle on 1st Street Turkey Giveaway and Tree Lighting in Boyle Heights.
Actor and former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a longtime supporter of the event, and he was among those in attendance to help distribute the meals and greet families who lined up for food. Schwarzenegger’s “True Lies” co-star Tom Arnold was also among those on hand, along with county Sheriff Robert Luna.
“With a lot of the issues that we’re facing in the community with food insecurity, the fear and anxiety about immigration, I think the lines are just a little longer this year,” Luna told KTLA5 at the event at the Hollenbeck Youth Center.
Meanwhile, the Jackson Limousine Foundation held its 43rd annual Thanksgiving Turkey & Grocery Giveaway event at People’s Independent Church of Christ in Hyde Park. It was unclear exactly how many meals were distributed, but during some past events, more than 15,000 turkeys were handed out.
“Our giveaway marks a day we unite our collective efforts and share our love and support; unfortunately, we at the Foundation are facing tremendous financial difficulties like never before,” Jackson Limosine Foundation CEO Lyn Tavai said in a statement in advance of the event. “… This celebratory labor of love exists exclusively on community compassion with generous contributions.”
In Watts, longtime community activist “Sweet” Alice Harris held her annual holiday meal giveaway at the headquarters of her organization, Parents of Watts. Roughly 625 turkeys were handed out during that event.