More than 1,500 families received generous Thanksgiving food boxes at Foothill Unity Center’s annual Thanksgiving distributions, held Monday and Tuesday, November 21 and 22, at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia. The families came from across the Center’s eleven-city service area: Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, Azusa, Baldwin Park and Irwindale. (Monday’s event was reserved for smaller families; Tuesday’s served larger families.)
Each family took home a holiday food box packed for its family’s size, with meat and the makings for a festive holiday dinner. On Tuesday, 440 turkeys were provided by Operation Gobble, an annual team effort by California State Senator Bob Huff and California State Assemblyman Tim Donnelly in collaboration with Golden State Water Company, Cal-American Water Company, the California Water Association and their employees.
Among the visitors stopping by to offer Thanksgiving wishes to the families were the Laker Girls and the Tournament of Roses 94th Rose Queen Drew Washington and her court.
Representatives of PCL Construction and Wells Fargo were also on hand to present generous checks in support of the event. “When you’re faced with the threat of hunger every day, the holidays are an especially difficult time,” says Center Executive Director Joan Whitenack. “Each year, generous gifts like those from PCL and Wells Fargo, along with funds and volunteer time from local residents, businesses, organizations and churches, allow us to give local families in crisis a generous helping of holiday cheer. It comes with an even more valuable gift: the knowledge that their neighbors really do care.”
Less than a month after these distributions, families will return to the Arboretum receive more festive food boxes at the Center’s annual Holiday Distribution on December 18 and 19. On the 18th, focused on families with children, each family will also take home an opaque bag pre-packed with new toys and clothing for each child. Since the gifts are not visible, parents can wrap and give them as part of their own holiday traditions. Children will also enjoy fun activities, special drawings and a chance to share their wishes with Santa.
Funds are still needed to cover the cost of these large distributions. Donations may be mailed by check to Foothill Unity Center, 415 West Chestnut Avenue, Monrovia CA 91016, or made securely online at www.foothillunitycenter.org.
Children’s gifts are also needed for the family holiday distribution. The Center invites the community to pick up paper angels hand-decorated by volunteers from schools, businesses, churches and more. Written on each angel is one child’s gift wishes. Angel adopters may purchase one or more of the gifts listed and return them to the Center with the angel.
It takes hundreds of hands to make these events happen. For information on volunteer days and shifts, visit the Center’s website, foothillunitycenter.org, or call Raina at (626) 358-3486.