Rising food costs and recent uncertainty surrounding food assistance benefits has prompted a Pasadena nonprofit to increase the goal for its annual turkey donation drive this week.
Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Union Station Homeless Services is accepting turkeys and financial donations ahead of this year’s Dinner in the Park event that serves Thanksgiving meals to thousands of area residents experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Turkey donations are collected at the USHS Adult Center, 412 S. Raymond Ave. in Pasadena.
“For over 50 years, Dinner in the Park hosted by Union Station Homeless Services has been a staple in Pasadena — a place where anyone hungry can enjoy a warm Thanksgiving meal and a moment of community,” according to a statement from the organization.
To meet growing needs, USHS increased the number of turkeys required for the dinner from 750 to 975, which is just enough to serve an estimated 8,000 meals over three days during the holiday weekend.
The move was largely in response to inflated grocery prices and the recently ended 44-day federal shutdown that caused chaos this month with state food assistance programs and delays in benefit payments.
The shutdown affected “the same community that looks to Dinner in the Park to keep their holiday traditions alive and make new ones,” according to USHS.
“Last year, we served over 6,000 meals, which is incredible. But this year we know the need will be greater,” USHS CEO Katie Hill said in a statement. “It’s not an easy time for anyone right now. We are all feeling the squeeze. Some of the food banks and partner organizations we’ve relied on simply can’t give what they used to; they are struggling too.
“The last thing we would want to do is turn away families who look forward to a Thanksgiving meal,” Hill added. “But the truth is, if we don’t receive the food we need, we may need to shorten the event or turn people away. We don’t want to do that.”
To donate using the internet, visit ushs.org.
