Thanksgiving Comes Early to Skid Row
Skid Row's homeless population has something to be thankful for this weekend. The Union Rescue Mission (URM) began serving its annual Thanksgiving feast this morning at 11am, kicking off this year's holiday early by filling grumbling tummies with turkey and all the trimmings.
Birds fell victim to ovens and deep fryers as early as midnight on Saturday. By early Saturday morning, 300 turkeys had been baked and 200 more were in the process of being fried.
Rev. Andy Bales, URM CEO, says the homeless population has increased since last year, reports KABC. A total of 4,500 people in Skid Row gobbled down Thanksgiving meals in 2010. URM estimates that nearly 5,000 bellies will be filled this year.
What about dessert, you ask? A dessert bar, courtesy of Pie in the Sky, beckons attendees to the URM rooftop.
Today's event is powered by over 300 volunteers and offers live entertainment, a show giveaway, face painting plus a kid zone with a basketball court. Biola University students are providing foot washings as well.
Follow the Union Rescue Mission on Twitter and Facebook for updates on their efforts.
