About / FAQs

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. And recently we have even started sending extra dinners out to the community for those who are not able to make it to the event itself. We continously strive to be open and adapt to the changing needs we see in the community we aim to serve.

Through the years, the event went on to grow from a simple dinner to a full-service event, currently offering:
  • Haircuts
  • Clothing
  • Mercado (store)
  • Hygiene kits
  • Children’s games
  • Live Music
And in our history, we also provided:
  • Blankets
  • Medical
  • Optical and dental services
  • Vaccinations
  • Social service resource fair
  • Children’s carnival
  • Petting zoo
  • And more…

View our Story

FAQs

  • It is important that you have registered and been assigned one of the available shifts so we’ll know when you’re coming! The volunteer registrations generally go online around November 1.
  • 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. The end of the day closing crew is always are biggest area of need.
  • We need money to pay for many expenses, including meals (Donate Online).
  • We may need some key leaders to join us in the weeks leading up to (and at) the event in planning and coordinating different sections. We generally begin meeting in September. (Contact us if you would like to help in this way).
  • We will need lots of blankets and clothing in good clean condition, especially men’s pants.
  • We will need non-perishable food and drinks for our Mercado.
  • 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 (see Volunteer page to register).
  • Start saving and collecting non-perishable food items, clothing, blankets, and money (See Donations).
  • We may need some key leaders to join us in the weeks leading up to (and at) the event in planning and coordinating different sections. We generally begin meeting in September. (Contact us if you would like to help in this way).
  • That’s easy! Check the VOLUNTEER PAGE. Volunteer signups online this year start November 2.
  • On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, we work 3-5pm.
  • On Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) we have multiple 2 to 3-hour shifts starting at 6am until 5pm closing.
  • If shifts are full, keep checking back. We often add additional spots as needs arise close to the event, or spots do open as people cancel their appointments. Additional spots often open up even up to the day before the event.

Yes. We need help planning and organizing, starting in September. Please contact us for more information if you would like to be involved.

We also need help collecting donations starting NOW. We need your help with transportation and logistics the week of Thanksgiving.

We typically serve dinner between 11am-2pm Thanksgiving Day. We may also open up the haircuts, clothing, and Mercado areas beforehand. Then we’ll clean up and pack up until 5-6pm.

We welcome everyone: veterans, students, low-income families, seniors, anyone who is without a home, 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, and even a small donation can help provide a hot meal. 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 or help hand out flyers to potential guests. 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 our full-page flyer »
Download our 2-up, double-sided, bilingual flyer » (and here’s a black & white version for more affordable printing)

Please contact us if you would like a larger quantity of our pre-printed flyers, or if you have ideas of places we should send them out to.

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.

Also, please do not bring purses or backpacks, as we do not have any places to safely store these while you are volunteering.

The main event is at:
The West LA Civic Center, 1645 Corinth Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90025
View map of main event locations and parking info »

  • It is 3 blocks west of the 405, 1 block south of Santa Monica Blvd.
  • The area is serviced by Big Blue Bus lines #1 & #17, and Metro line #4.
  • The guest entrance is off of Santa Monica Blvd. at Purdue Ave, just next to the library.
  • There is limited free parking at the site. Car pool, ride share, or public transportation suggested.
  • The bus stops on Santa Monica Blvd. & Corinth Ave.
  • Public lots are available on Idaho just west of 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.
  • General volunteer check-in is at the Volunteer Station in front of the West LA Municipal Buildings, entering off of Corinth Avenue at Idaho Ave.
  • WEDNESDAY SETUP: If you are volunteering to help with setup on Wednesday, there is very limited parking behind the West LA Civic Center, entering off of Iowa Ave, or look for street parking. Or there may be limited street parking on Butler Ave. near Kardia Church.

If you have read through our FAQs here, and checked the other pages, and still feel that your questions have not been answered, feel free to contact us for more information. Please note, volunteer signups are not taken via our contact form. For everything related to volunteering, please check our Volunteer page frequently.

For more information you can also check our Facebook, Instagram, or X feeds (see links in footer).

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