Every year, around this time many needy families go without a Thanksgiving dinner. With the economy spiraling down, more families will be turning to charities for support during the holidays. One organization is making a difference to more than a hundred families served by Hillsides, a Pasadena foster care children’s charity that also works with Los Angeles County, including San Gabriel Valley, families in crisis. The National Charity League Chapter of Pasadena is making Thanksgiving dinner a reality for Hillsides Family Center clients.
The National Charity League members collected food baskets and grocery scrip and delivered them to Hillsides. These baskets, arranged with the essentials for a Thanksgiving dinner, include canned fruits and vegetables, mashed potatoes, dried beans, chicken broth, pasta, rice, stuffing mix, cake mix, icing and much more. As well as receiving these baskets, the families received grocery gift cards to purchase the main course and any other items needed. The distribution of baskets to families from Hillsides’ facilities began last week and are continuing Thanksgiving week.
“By receiving these baskets, families will have a Thanksgiving without stress. They can enjoy a relaxing and festive holiday with their families,” said Laura Kelso, the children’s charity’s director of community resources, and coordinator of the event for National Charity League Chapter of Pasadena. Kelso added that City of Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard will also be donating frozen turkeys and side dish supplies to complete Thanksgiving dinners for twenty families through Operation Gobble Gobble.
The National Charity League has been involved with Hillsides for the past six years by donating time and books to the charity’s library, donating items for Easter baskets and holding a candy drive for Halloween. With support from the National Charity League, many families will be able to experience a plentiful Thanksgiving dinner, accompanied with all the trimmings and a sense of community and hope for a better New Year.
“Community support is so critical during times when families struggling to make ends meet find themselves in more vulnerable situations,” said Kelso. “Support from individuals, businesses, and organizations like National Charity League, including the City of Pasadena, help make it possible for charities like Hillsides to continue focusing on mental health needs of children and families.”
Pointing to the sea of Thanksgiving baskets, National Charity League President Grace Russak said, “Each year it’s amazing how people care and want to do something important.”
To learn how you can help the children’s charity during the holiday season, contact Kelso at 323-254-2274 ext. 251 or visit www.Hillsides.org.
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