Community Council: Union Station Homeless Services
Union Station Homeless Services is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community. They are the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. Since 1973, Union Station has helped rebuild the lives of thousands of people who were once homeless and without hope.
This year, UHSH is hosting a Dinner In The Park at Pasadena Central Park on Christmas Day! This incredible community event provides thousands of holiday meals and hope for all who attend, including homeless men, women, children, seniors, very low-income families, and those with no place to go during the holidays. The impact of this event in the community is huge!
To spread holiday cheer and joy, hundreds of volunteers of all ages will gather together on Christmas Day to serve meals at Union Station Homeless Services’ 43rd annual Dinner-in-the-Park.
For more than four decades, this beloved tradition has been a staple event for the community during the holiday season.
Donned in hairnets, gloves and welcoming smiles, hundreds of volunteers will serve warm holiday meals to all who are hungry at Pasadena’s Central Park on Christmas Day.
“The event brings the community together!” said Ginger Mort, member of the Los Angeles Disney VoluntEAR Leadership Council and a Union Station Dinner-in-the-Park volunteer since 2001. “Even if it is for one day, hopefully one day leads to another and another and so on and so on!”
Union Station Homeless Services and its volunteers served more than 3,500 plates of food on Thanksgiving, and the agency expects to serve an additional 1,500 plates of food on Christmas Day.
Meal recipients will include adults and families experiencing homelessness and poverty, senior citizens, and those who are alone at the holidays or unable to afford a holiday meal.
In addition to volunteers, the event is made possible thanks to generous partners:
Tsutayo Ichioka & Satsuki Nakao Foundation, HomeStreet Bank, SuperKing Markets, Longo Toyota Scion Lexus, Pasadena Federal Credit Union, Dove Properties, Pasadena Convention Center, Norton Rose Fullbright, Paul Hastings, Centerplate, Chipotle, and Whole Foods.
“The Pasadena Convention Center and Centerplate is thrilled to support Union Station Homeless Services by preparing turkeys for Dinner-in-the-Park,” said Michael Ross, CEO, Pasadena Center Operating Company. “We applaud Union Station’s work to serve thousands of meals to the hungry and homeless during the holiday season and are pleased to participate in such a worthwhile cause.”
“Dinner-in-the-Park is truly a community event and simply would not be possible without the help of dedicated volunteers and dozens of businesses who make this event such a success,” said Marv Gross, CEO of Union Station.
All who are able to help are invited to donate their time, food items or funds to this incredible holiday outreach program.
• Union Station Homeless Services is still in need of non-perishable food donations.
• A wish list of items needed can be found on the event pageat https://unionstationhs.org/event/dinner-in-the-park-2015/.
• The community is invited to drop off these supplies in the indicated sizes at 412 S. Raymond, Pasadena.
• Please Note: Due to Health Department regulations, Union Station Homeless Services is no longer able to accept turkey or prepared food donations at the event.
About Union Station Homeless Services
Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. Union Station Homeless Services is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community. Headquartered in Pasadena, we are the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. We believe every person deserves a life of dignity and a safe place to call home. With over 40 years of experience, we proudly offer a full continuum of nine programs throughout the San Gabriel Valley; services include street outreach, intake/assessment, care coordination and navigation, meals, shelter, housing, employment development, benefits enrollment, and referrals to medical and mental health services.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 25 Los Angeles holiday drives that you can participate in this year. Whether it’s to donate your time, money and more to local charities in need, we’ve discovered family-friendly activities perfect for both individuals and groups. There are so many ways to cherish the city of Los Angeles, from its people, beaches and museums. Start giving back to the community by choosing from our list of some of the best places to make a difference, from Downtown Los Angeles, to the San Gabriel Valley and even Santa Monica.
Children’s Institute, Inc. with help from Mattel Inc. and other partners will host a holiday celebration for more than 1,000 of Los Angeles’ most vulnerable children – many are victims or witnesses to violence in their homes and communities. Event activities include toy selection, arts and crafts, cookie decorating, story time, music and more. Be a part of the holiday cheer on Saturday, December 5th at CII’s Otis Booth Campus. Volunteer responsibilities range from helping with set up, helping children select a toy, a book and or handing out food and water, to helping with breakdown of the event. Register to volunteer today.
Come to Boys Town California’s campus and enjoy a tour of Family Homes while visiting with the boys and girls who call Boys Town home. Refreshments, joy and merriment will be provided as the home opens for you. RSVP here!
During the holidays, some families don’t have the extra time it takes to shop so, with your help, the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House is making it easy for them. Families served by the organization will be coming together to shop for each other – parents for their kids and kids for the parents. Gifts needed include gift cards, bath items, socks, a good book and so much more. More info here.
Donate canned food items and gently-used clothing to benefit LGBT seniors and youth served by the Center. This ninth annual donation drive party is free admission and guests who donate a bag of gently used clothes and/or a bag of canned, non-perishable food items will receive a complimentary drink. More info here.
5. Holiday Art Bazaar
Organization: Theatre of Hearts Youth First
Date: December 12
Join Theatre of Hearts Youth First for wine, cheese, and a unique shopping experience with art and handmade goods by local artists and students. Admission is free. More info here.
Lend your voice in song and come lift the spirits of seniors as one incredible family. Two opportunities available to sing carols with glee at local Senior Centers! Register for caroling here.
9. Food & Clothing Distribution
Organization: Food on Foot Date: 12/20, 12/27, 01/03, 01/10
Every week, volunteers from around the city gather and help distribute food and clothing. Use the online volunteer sign-up, and show up. It’s surprisingly easy – and a few hundred people will thank you for it. Approximately 90 minutes of your time on a Sunday. No contractual agreements. Show up once. Or twice. Or every week. Sign up to volunteer today!
10. Cherishing Children
Organization: Day One Date: December 21
For four decades, Union Station Homeless Services has hosted Holiday Dinner in the Park on Christmas Day. This incredible community event provides thousands of holiday meals and hope for all who attend, including homeless men, women, children, seniors, very low-income families, and those with no place to go during the holidays. Other ways to help include pie donations and Christmas wishlist purchases. The impact of this event in the community is huge! Sign up to volunteer here.
Experience the true spirit of giving this holiday season through the Mother’s Club Family Learning Center Adopt-A-Family Program. You’ll be linked with a family in need, and you will have the opportunity to provide the makings of a wonderful holiday. Bring a smile to a child’s face with a new toy or book…bring joy to a mother with some comfy slippers or a photo album for her keepsakes…and bring joy to a whole family with all the fixings for a delicious holiday meal. The process is simple and the rewards are priceless for both those who receive and those who give. Adopt a family here.
13. Help Fill A Holiday Stocking For A Child Or Family In Need
Organization: Aviva
Date: December 2015
Help bring a moment of holiday cheer into the lives of children and families. Please consider hosting a holiday gift and toy drive for Aviva. If you want to “adopt” an individual child or a family who will not have a Christmas without our help, Aviva can provide personalized wish lists from these children and families, many of whom need almost anything you can think of – from blankets to food gift cards. Click here to download the general wish list and learn how to “adopt” a child or family for the holidays.
14. Divine Chocolate Supports Women Cocoa Farmers
Organization: Whole Planet Foundation
Date: December 2015
This holiday season, Divine Chocolate is supporting Whole Planet Foundation with a portion of sales from their Advent Calendar at Whole Foods Market stores. Divine Chocoalte will be supporting the Foundation’s microcredit programs by making a $0.05 donation for each Divine Chocolate Advent Calendar sold in Whole Foods Market locations nationwide. More info here.
15.No Dinner “Dinner” Fundraiser Organization: Reading Open Minds Date: December 2015
A dinner with zero calories guaranteed to make you feel good! Help build a culture of literacy and community by providing books and book clubs to local jails, prisons, low-income schools and senior centers. One of the organization’s favorite independent bookstores, Chevalier’s Books, is graciously offering a 15% discount on in-store or call-in orders to all who donate in the fundraiser! Check out the dinner menu and book pairings.
Look no further for your stack of holiday cards! The Pablove Foundation is selling an exclusive holiday cards collection, perfect to send to your loved ones and colleagues. Purchase holiday art here.
Presented by the Get Together Foundation, Rock Cellar Magazine & KCSN… 2 sets of Rock ‘n’ Roll and soulful Christmas & holiday tunes with an AllStar cast hosted by KCSN’s on air personality, Jim Nelson. This special holiday show will feature an incredibly talented musical cast & several well-known musical stars to sing, celebrate & raise money for a great cause: MusiCares®, founded by The Recording Academy (GRAMMY’s), helps music people in need. Get your tickets here.
Caring for a family member with special needs can create significant financial and emotional strain, especially in families where parents already struggle to meet basic needs. They can’t afford “extras” like holiday gifts and special meals. Help provide some relief to families in three easy ways: conduct a toy or food drive at your office, school or other organization, adopt a family or make a personal donation to allow ECF to purchase holiday gifts! Click here for gift ideas, information on online giving and more.
19. Holiday Gift Cards and Program
Organization: Voice LA Date: December 2015
Help package and provide Christmas food baskets, toys and books to 2,500 families (12,500 people) living in poverty in the Los Angeles area. Each child receives books and toys given personally by Santa and every family takes home a basket overflowing with all the makings of a wonderful holiday meal: a turkey, rolls, carrots, squash, potatoes, yams, onions, rice, beans, bags of apples and oranges, candy, a fresh apple pie and canned goods. Gift cards are also available. In the name of the gifted, each card provides one low-income family within our community with a basket of food for Christmas. Scholarship gift cards available that help low income high school students realize their dreams of attending first-rate colleges. Purchase a gift card or sign up to volunteer here.
Vons and Pavilions stores will run the Help Us End Hunger Holiday Food Drive. Store customers can purchase $7 pre-packed food bags filled with essential items that will then be given to an individual in need. This year’s items will be: Tuna, Pasta, Canned Tomatoes, Canned Vegetables, Peanut Butter and Soup. Search for your nearest Vons and Pavillions location.
Join a broad-based grass-roots organization to plan and prepare an elaborate sitdown meal to the homeless and hungry at CBS on Christmas Day-a nice change from the sidewalk. Register to volunteer here.
22. 4-Day Holiday Sale
Organization: Project Angel Food
Date: December 2015
Get your shopping on while doing good at a special holiday 4-day sale at Jgerard Peace Gallery. There will be cocktails, music and premier merchandise sold at HUGE discounts. Holiday greeting cards are also available at Project Angel Food. More info here.
Shop from a selection of perfectly curated holiday sets for your loved ones! Ranging from the soap lover, the artist, the nurturer and more, you’ll be sure to find an ideal gift to give this season. Shop holiday gift sets here.
24. Holiday Shopping
Organization: Food Forward
Date: December 2015
Alverno High School stopped by Union Station Homeless Services (USHS) in Pasadena on Tuesday, Nov. 24 to donate fruit, vegetable and cheese platters for the USHS Thanksgiving Feast. Additionally, Isabel Diaz, representing Alverno’s campus ministry, dropped off the more than 90 boxes of macaroni and cheese collected during the school’s Macaroni Knockdown event.
Thanksgiving meals are served to those in need during the Union Station Homeless Services’ Annual Dinners-in-the-Park at Central Park in Pasadena on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2015. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda/ Pasadena Star-News)
Photos: Thanksgiving meals served to those in need during the Pasadena Annual Dinners-in-the-Park
POSTED BY WATCHARA PHOMICINDA ON 11/26/2015 5:40PM TAGS: PHOTOS
Thanksgiving meals are served to those in need during the Union Station Homeless Services’ Annual Dinners-in-the-Park at Central Park in Pasadena on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2015.