Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Joins Fred Jordan Mission to Celebrate Thanksgiving by Serving Thanksgiving Dinner to 2,400 Poor and Homeless Children, Women & Men at the Fred Jordan Mission on Skid Row

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 25, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Fred Jordan Mission will celebrate its 67th Thanksgiving Day on the streets of Skid Row Thursday, November 25, from 10:00am – 2:00pm. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will lead thousands of volunteers in serving a traditional Thanksgiving Turkey Banquet with all of the homemade trimmings to more than 2,400 impoverished children, women and men at the Fred Jordan Mission, located at 445 Towne Avenue, on the corner of 5th and Towne, Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles.

The Mission will continue their tradition of preparing and serving more than 1 1/2 tons of roast turkey, homemade corn bread stuffing and gravy, green beans with bacon, candied yams, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pies and hundreds of gallons of fruit punch for this extraordinary feast. In addition, each guest will receive gifts of food, clothing and hygiene kits when they leave the banquet.

This is Fred Jordan Mission's 67th Annual Thanksgiving Banquet for the disadvantaged, hurting and homeless. The number of underprivileged children, men and women coming to the Mission for help has skyrocketed because of the economic downturn, while at the same time, the Mission's financial donations have dropped, as many Americans struggle to survive the nation's current crises.  However, in the face of these difficulties, the Mission continues to see a record number of volunteers stepping up to help with the growing need of the poorest among us. The Sikh Community of Los Angeles, Mother's Nutritional Center, Operation Blessing, Feed the Children, Longo Toyota, Ray Fico and a host of other compassionate individuals, churches and other groups of people are donating food, products and volunteers.

This annual dinner doesn't just draw homeless people.  It also draws working families who can't afford to cook a Thanksgiving Day dinner of their own.  The Mission is expecting a record number of people.  Thanksgiving kicks off the Mission's 30 days of helping the poor come "home for the holidays" at the Fred Jordan Mission.  This year once again the Mission will provide over 80,000 meals for the poor.  With the downturn in the economy our food supplies are much lower than normal.  If people want to help, please call 1 (800) 964-FOOD or go on-line to give at www.fjm.org.

The Fred Jordan Mission is delighted to announce its third annual "Boxes of Hope" campaign food drive to help provide Christmas Dinner food for impoverished families who are often forced to choose between paying rent and buying food for their children.  Each tax-deductible donation of $25, will give a Christmas Food BOX OF HOPE directly to a needy family right here in our community.  An additional $25 will provide new toys and warm sox for the children.  Phone 1-800-964-FOOD and make the donation with a major credit card.  Or go on-line to www.fjm.org to purchase a "Box of Hope" that will be given directly to a needy family.    

The Fred Jordan Mission, open 365 days a year since 1944, provides nutritious meals for hungry families, builds schools and hospitals and distributes food and clothing to the needy.  Every year, more than 400,000 hungry people look to the Mission for their daily bread.  The Mission is a non-profit, faith-based, educational and relief organization that gives help and hope to untold thousands.

SOURCE Fred Jordan Mission