Carrying on the legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Mozel Sanders, Bishop Richard D. Sanders saw the immediate need in his community. This year, with the goal of feeding five thousand people, Bishop set out to raise support for his efforts. Major League Baseball, immediately donated ten thousand dollars to accompany the efforts of Mayor Eric Perrodin, City of Compton, Ca. and Dr. Keith Curry of Compton Community College District.
“We understand the critical need to provide Thanksgiving dinners to community members from Compton and surrounding areas on Thanksgiving Day. Compton Community College District will provide the use of our facilities for this event at no charge. In addition, we will provide staff support and will assist in identifying volunteers for this event.” – Dr. Keith Curry, CEO, Compton Community College District
The late Dr. Rev Mozel Sanders was best known throughout the state of Indiana for feeding families in need, thereby creating the Annual Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving Dinner and establishing Mt. Vernon as a beacon of hope for the urban communities of Indianapolis. Forty-one years after its birth, the Thanksgiving Dinner Event has served 40,000 dinners to families each year. Help is solicited from hundreds of volunteers at 37 satellite locations comprised of churches, care facilities and community service centers to make this mission possible.
For the past seven years, the food has been prepared at the mother-ship, Butler University. “When we first introduced my father’s dream to Southern California one year ago, the goal was to extend the vision to the West Coast. I am appreciative to all who will help carry on the legacy of my father today.” – Bishop Richard D. Sanders, COO, Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving Dinner West Coast, Inc.
In 2011, Mozel Sanders’ Board of Directors decided to expand to the West Coast. Having assisted in serving dinners as a teenager, from the program’s inception, Bishop R. D. Sanders, of Compton, California, (the youngest son of Dr. Sanders) is the Chief Operating Officer of the Mozel Sanders Foundation. Bishop W. T. Ervin, Sr. of Long Beach, California has volunteered his planning expertise and serves as the Co-Chairman of the West Coast operation. He exclaimed, “There was no need to think about my commitment to this year’s ‘Feed the Hungry’ event. When Bishop Sanders called me, I was honored to walk with him on his journey and after seeing the video, I was overcome by emotion and the motivation to participate.” -Bishop William Todd Ervin, Co-Chair, Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving Dinner West Coast, Inc.
The Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving Dinner West Coast was held at Compton Community College District. The feeding was a collaborative effort among Compton Community College District; the City of Compton; clergy; political leaders; community leaders; entrepreneurs; area churches; and businesses. In addition to Compton Community college district, feedings took place at satellite churches and businesses as well as Compton Community College District.
“It is our goal to feed a MINIMUM of five thousand. It is the belief of all parties involved we are our brothers’ keeper.” -Mayor Eric J. Perrodin
(Left to right) Congresswoman Laura Richardson, Frank Robinson, Executive Vice President, Baseball Development, Major League Baseball, Bishop Richard D. Sanders (center), Chief Operating Officer of the Mozel Sanders Foundation’s annual West Coast Thanksgiving Dinner Carson Councilmember Mike Gipson, Stacey Johnigarn, Executive Director, Mozel Sanders Foundation, and Bishop William Irvin celebrate after helping to feed over 5,000 homeless people and families at Compton Community College on Thanksgiving Day.
