Bay Area rallies to feed the hungry this Thanksgiving
Thousands of Thanksgiving meals will be served at food banks and charity organizations around the Bay Area today.
At Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, 800 turkeys were carved along with the traditional sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing gravy, and salad.
List of San Francisco Bay Area food banks and pantries
"The climate is changing out there, so we are seeing a lot more families in San Francisco. We hear a lot about the housing crunch and the prices for rents are going up, so that really is impacting everyday people. At the end of the month they are not able to make ends meet and they come to Glide for a meal," said Jean Cooper, Glide holiday coordinator.
Cooper said there are several things she enjoys about giving back on Thanksgiving.
"My favorite part of doing this it's like family," Cooper said "It's good to go home and feel like you actually did something."
Glide serves Thanksgiving dinner to more than 5,000 people and hosts a special church service. Many of the volunteers who make it happen come back year after year.
"Now my supervisor, she keeps up with the tradition and encourages us every year to sign up and we always you know get enough volunteers to do it," said Dionyse Bellers, a volunteer.
Give #WhereYouLive: ABC7 Thanksgiving Food Drive
Dozens of volunteers spent Thanksgiving morning sorting and packing donations at the San Francisco warehouse in Potrero Hill. So far the Food Bank has ingredients for about half the 10 million holiday meals it will distribute by year end.
Preparations were also in full swing for the Thanksgiving feast at St. Anthony's in San Francisco. Hundreds of volunteers and some city officials worked to prep meals. They had to carve, dice and cook nearly 4,000 pounds of turkey, 3,000 pies and 1,200 pounds of tomatoes and vegetables.
"For people who are concerned, they don't have any place to go for Thanksgiving, they don't have any family to celebrate with -- St. Anthony's becomes their family; they're included here," said Barry Stinger, St. Anthony's Foundation.
Some of the food served at Glide Thursday came from the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. Dozens of volunteers spent the morning sorting and packing donations at the San Francisco warehouse in Potrero Hill. So far, the food bank has ingredients for about half the 10 million holiday meals it will distribute by year's end.
St. Anthony's said it had enough food to feed 3,000 people.
In the South Bay, it was a happy Thanksgiving after all for thousands of families in need, thanks to your generous donations. Sacred Heart Community Service in San Jose says it received the 4,200 turkeys it needed for its holiday food box giveaway. The nonprofit has been distributing the boxes all week.
As of Monday, organizers still needed 1,700 turkeys. The call went out and it was quickly answered. Thanks to everyone who gave.
WATCH VIDEO: Community supports Sacred Heart Community Service food drive
ABC7 invites you to #ShareTheJoy this holiday season. Show us how you GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE this Thanksgiving on social by tagging your posts, video, and photos #abc7now.
