About the Westside Thanksgiving Celebration
Westside Thanksgiving started in 1982 when a small group of Christians served a free sit-down Thanksgiving dinner, sharing our blessings with the needy. Over the years it has grown to include people and organizations from all walks of life.
It also grew from a simple dinner to a full-service event, offering:
Note: some services may not be available for 2023.
- Haircuts
- Blankets
- Clothing
- Hygiene kits
- Medical
- Optical and dental services
- Vaccinations
- Social service resource fair
- Children’s carnival
- Live Music
View our Story
FAQs
- We need lots of blankets and clothing in good clean condition, especially men’s pants.
- We need food and drinks (see Donations page).
- We need money to pay for many expenses, including meals (Donate Online).
- We need people who can organize their friends and groups to collect all kinds of donations.
- We need people to come work with us, especially on the late afternoon shift.
- We need food for the meal and for the “Mercado.”
Start saving and collecting non-perishables: clothing, blankets, and money (DONATIONS).
- That’s easy! Check the VOLUNTEER PAGE. Volunteer signups online this year start November 6.
- On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, we work 6-8pm.
- On Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) we have five two-hour shifts starting 7am until 6pm closing.
- It is important that you have registered and been assigned one of the six shifts so we’ll know when you’re coming!
- If time slots on the registration page have filled, you can choose other times or check back to see if more spots are opened up or if people cancel.
- If you haven’t reserved a shift, you’re welcome to join us for dinner and also see if we need help when you arrive. Mid-day is the busiest time, of course.
- Thursday shifts are 7am, 8am, 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm. Please arrive 1/2 hour early to give yourself time to park and walk to the Volunteer Check-in station.
Yes. We need help planning and organizing, starting in September. We need help collecting donations starting NOW. We need your help with transportation and logistics the week of Thanksgiving. Please email us for more information.
See our simple slow-cook (i.e, overnight) method here, along with other details on where & when to deliver your turkey, etc. There are also numerous good recipes online if you want to cook a bit quicker.
We’ll serve dinner between 11am-2pm Thanksgiving Day. Then we’ll clean up and pack up until 6pm.
We welcome everyone: veterans, students, low-income families, seniors, anyone who is homeless, and anyone who is alone on Thanksgiving. Please join us as our guest!
You do! It’s entirely a volunteer effort. Thousands of people just like you have been blessing their friends and neighbors every Thanksgiving since 1982
The tradition of setting aside a day for giving thanks as a national holiday has its roots with the Pilgrims and is uniquely American. The Continental Congress, Presidents Washington, Madison, Lincoln, and every president since have proclaimed a national day of prayer and thanksgiving. We believe that we are merely stewards of all the blessings bestowed upon us. We believe in showing our gratitude and sharing our blessings with others, and we love getting together with friends to eat and celebrate. Everyone is invited!
Everything is donated by people like you. Thank you!
Yes. You can get a tax receipt at the event when you donate. Online donations made here serve as your receipt for taxes. Friends of West LA is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, and your donations are deductible to the extent allowable.
By all means, tell your friends. To maintain the family, community atmosphere at the event, we do not allow press, commercial photography, or videos, and we don’t promote the event, except to invite guests to come and bring their friends and family.
Download a flyer that you can print and hand out ›
We find that press coverage tends to disrupt the family atmosphere of Thanksgiving dinner. We do this as an expression of gratitude for our blessings, not as a way to obtain publicity.
- Many people bring their children.
- Some jobs are better suited for children than others.
- Children often help their parents on their shift.
- Children under 18 MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
Dress comfortably and ready to work outside. Morning shifts are chilly, unless you’re in the kitchen. It can get pretty hot in the sun during the day shifts.
Non-perishable food items and clothing can be dropped off at Kardia Church (1637 Butler Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90025) on Sundays, November 5, 12, or 19, from 2-4pm.
Roast turkeys and pies can be dropped off at Kardia Church – Wednesday November 22 between 3-6pm or Thanksgiving morning 7am-9am.
All other items can be dropped off on Thanksgiving Morning, from 7am-1pm, at the WLA Civic Center (see directions below).
The event is at:
The West LA Civic Center, 1645 Corinth Ave., 90025 [view map »]
- It is 4 blocks west of the 405, 1 block south of Santa Monica Blvd.
- There is limited free parking at the site. Car pool, ride share, or public transportation suggested.
- The bus stops on Santa Monica & Corinth.
- Public lots are available at Idaho & Sawtelle, Butler north of Santa Monica Blvd, Corinth north of Santa Monica Blvd, and Colby south of Santa Monica Blvd.
- Look for volunteers directing traffic to available parking lots, then check-in on Corinth Avenue at the Volunteer Check-in sign by the municipal buildings.
- WEDNESDAY SETUP: If you are volunteering to help with setup on Wednesday, you may find parking behind the West LA Civic Center, off of Corinth Ave. south of Santa Monica Blvd.