Multiple organizations make sure the community has a Thanksgiving every year.
Every year, there are needy families across the nation that can’t afford Thanksgiving. In the Crenshaw district and surrounding areas, multiple organizations do their best at bringing Thanksgiving to families in the community. Mother’s In Action (MIA), Brotherhood Crusade (BC), Jackson Limousine (JLS), Kinecta Federal Credit Union (KFCU) and Nix Financial (NF) are some of those local organizations and businesses that have fed thousands for Thanksgiving every year.
At the Ward Villa Senior Complex, MIA continues to bring Thanksgiving Day dinner to senior citizens along with their invited guests and families. MIA has made sure every year the elders of the community are not forgotten. Together with Jackie Dupont Walker, director of Ward Economic Development Corporation and on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority, MIA along with countless volunteers make this event a continuous success. Thanks to the efforts of many volunteers at Ward Villa, thousands of families have been served throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, as well as hundreds of seniors and guests fed at Ward Villa.
The BC has brought Thanksgiving to families in South L.A. throughout the years. In 2011, stationed at the African American Unity Center, members and volunteers of the BC handed out over 100 turkeys and trimmings to truly thankful families.
JLS and its founder and president, E.J. Jackson have been giving away turkey dinners every Thanksgiving at their business on Slauson Avenue. JLS’ annual Thanksgiving giveaways are known for their lines that wrap around and down corners in South L.A. Each year, thousands of people wait for hours and days for a chance to receive a turkey dinner from the limo company. Many have come to rely on JLS in past years as JLS has been able to bring the holidays to countless families.
In 2012, KFCU and NF fed over 1,000 local families for Thanksgiving. The companies supplied holiday season bags of traditional Thanksgiving food items and a $75 gift certificate during their 39th annual Holiday Food Drive.
This annual event is an opportunity for employees of KFCU and subsidiary, NF, not only to collaborate with more than 35 non-profit organizations and churches on a countywide effort but to connect with the community that they serve as well.
“It’s the network of partners that allow us [to] serve!!!” stated BC president/CEO, Charisse Bremond Weaver.
“I thank God for all the prayers and I thank God for the miracle he just performed,” stated Jackson to media. “I thank those companies that came to help support us.”
“We’re extremely proud to carry on this tradition of helping to provide holiday meals to deserving families, especially during these challenging economic times,” stated Keith Sultemeier, CEO, Kinecta Federal Credit Union. “The food drive brings our employees and partners together to give back to the communities where our members, customers and employees live, work and worship.”
In a slowly recovering economy, there are still many unable to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families and friends. These organizations are making it possible for needy and struggling families to have a happy Thanksgiving.
