SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento's largest homeless service provider is calling on the community to help them provide their annual Thanksgiving meal for hundreds of families.
Loaves & Fishes said its biggest need is turkeys, but anything will help during the holiday season.
"I had these extra turkey, and I thought well what better place to give it to than Loaves and Fishes," said Carmen Segovia, who stopped by Loaves and Fishes to donate turkeys on Thursday.
The holidays can be a lonely and difficult time for the people who are homeless in our community, but a shared Thanksgiving meal can make them feel at peace.
"A lot of our guests that come to us for our meal service or for our other services, many of them don't have a lot of strong connections with their families. And so sometimes, we are their family here at Loaves & Fishes," said Angela Hassell, executive director of Sacramento Loaves & Fishes.
Sacramento Loaves & Fishes sees to it that families don't go hungry. They're starting this holiday season with their 40th annual Thanksgiving meal on Tuesday, feeding anywhere from 600 to 800 people.
The problem is, they're a little short on turkeys and fixings this year.
"Actually, we need everything. We need turkeys, we need stuffing, we need string beans, we need everything that goes with the meal, Thanksgiving meal. That would include pies," said Edwin Burton, chef at Sacramento Loaves & Fishes.
However, the chef said the main item they need is turkey, and if they have enough, they can ensure everyone leaves with a full stomach.
"Every little bit makes a difference. We can't do this meal without the support of the community. Everything that is served that day is donated by the community. Every little bit helps. We can accept Amazon deliveries and Instacart deliveries. Things like that so if folks are at home and can't deliver it to us or work, they can also have it delivered," said Hassell.
This year's meal will be in honor of Chris and Dan Delany, who founded the organization back in 1983, and their guests who come to Loaves and Fishes during some of their most vulnerable times.
"A lot of them, this is their only source of a big meal. I see that happening throughout downtown Sacramento. And so, I think it can make a difference. So if you have, give," said Segovia.
Right now, the organization is in need of at least 100 turkeys. Their warehouse is open during various hours all throughout the weekend on C Street. People can also donate money. In addition, they can donate by visiting the organization's Facebook page to see what they need and what times you can drive by the warehouse.
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