THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS DINNERS-IN-THE-PARK
For over 30 years, Union Station Homeless Services has sponsored annual Dinners-in-the-Park on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Held in Pasadena's Central Park, these events bring together thousands of volunteers to serve a hearty meal and holiday cheer to less fortunate community members.
Last year they served 8.500 meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas to people who were homeless, senior citizens, alone at the holidays, or unable to afford a holiday meal.
Help make this holiday season special by volunteering or donating food or toys for our events. For more information, please call 626.240.4550 x542.
How to Help
Volunteer at the Events (Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day)
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Set up
11:30 AM - 2:00 PM Serve food & beverages
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Break down tables & chairs, wash dishes, clean up. (We REALLY need help here!)
Volunteer the Day Before or Day After (Nov. 26 and Nov. 28, Dec. 24th and Dec. 26th)
If you are available to volunteer the day before or day after either event, please contact Union Station at 626.240.4550 (x124).
Donate New Toys for Christmas
Santa Claus gives away toys to about 1,000 children at Union Station’s Christmas Dinner-in-the-Park. If you can donate new toys for Union Station’s Christmas Dinner-in-the-Park, please call us at 626.240.4550 (x542).
Donate Prepared Food
Please click here to view the full list of food items needed.
* Fully Cooked Turkeys and Hams - For instructions on safely preparing turkeys, please visit the USDA website at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Poultry_Preparation_Fact_Sheets/index.asp
* Side Dishes - Side dishes must be safely prepared in disposable aluminum containers: casseroles, spaghetti, lasagna, mashed potatoes without gravy and vegetables
* Desserts (please, no jello)
Cook Turkeys or Hams
Volunteer cooks can pick up one or more of the donated uncooked turkeys or hams at our Adult Center (412 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena). If you are unable to cook a turkey in your home, kitchen space is available for use by groups or individuals. Contact volunteer@unionstationhs.org for more information.
Food can be dropped off at Central Park on the corner of Fair Oaks Avenue and Del Mar Boulevard, from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving and Christmas mornings.
