Pasadena Living Magazine
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be delighting young and old at Union Station Foundation’s annual Christmas Day Dinner-in-the-Park. This community potluck brings a hearty meal and holiday cheer to all who attend, many of whom are homeless, senior citizens, alone at the holidays and families on limited incomes.
Toys and gifts are also distributed to children and teenagers. Union Station anticipates that it will serve 3,000 meals and provide Christmas gifts to 1,000 children who otherwise might not receive presents.
For more than 30 years, Union Station Foundation has sponsored its annual Christmas Dinner-In-The-Park, often referred to as the Biggest Potluck in the Nation. Faithful supporters bring donated turkeys, hams, side dishes and desserts to the park. Hundreds of volunteers are on hand to set up and decorate the park, accept the drive-up food donations and to serve the meals.
Buffet lines will be staffed with hundreds of volunteers of all ages serving heaping plates of food to patrons. A full-service kitchen will be set up in the park, along with dining areas equipped with chairs and tables. Christmas trees and decorations will help create a festive setting.
Union Station is the San Gabriel Valley’s largest private agency serving poor and homeless men, women, and families, providing more than 154,000 meals and nearly 30,000 nights of shelter every year. Union Station’s supportive services include career development and job placement, community healthcare, case management services, 12-step meetings, legal assistance, transistional housing and special programs for homeless families. More than 70% of Union Station clients have found stable housing after their stay with the agency. Learn more at www.unionstationhs.org.