With ‘shelves bare,’ Pasadena nonprofit pleads for Thanksgiving donations to feed thousands

A cherished Thanksgiving tradition that has provided comfort and thousands of meals to those in need is in danger of being canceled for the first time in over half a century, as its organizer faces a critical shortage of donations.

Union Station Homeless Service, which hosts the annual “Dinner in the Park” in Pasadena, has put out an urgent call for action as it is struggling to secure the food and donations to keep the event alive.

“We’re having our Dinner in the Park event, which starts next Wednesday, but we’re really short on food supply for this year,” said Mario Galeano, VP of Development at Union Station Homeless Services.

The nonprofit anticipates serving more than 6,000 meals during the two-week program, which begins Nov. 20 at Adult Center. However, it is still short of around 1,000 to 1,500 meals, said David Sensente, manager of Union Station’s in-kind donations.

While Union Station faced shortages in the past, including during the pandemic when rising costs and a nationwide shortage led to a turkey supply crisis, this year’s challenge is unprecedented.

“Our shelves are literally bare—the lowest they’ve been in 15 years,” Galeano said.

Sensente, who has been with the nonprofit for 22 years, added that, “This year is something else. We’re really low on everything. We’re in panic mode right now.”

He said the nonprofit is seeing a growing need this season.

“Last year, turkey wise, we were asking for between 450 and 500, but now, we are in need of 700 turkeys, because we’re anticipating an elevated number of clients coming this way.”

The organization is also facing shortages of other key items, including canned green beans, cream of mushroom soups, cranberries, mashed potatoes boxes, pies and dinner rolls.

It needs around 700 packs of fruits, and 1,300 pounds of mashed potatoes to meet demand, Sensente said.

Galeano said a lot of factors contributed to the shortage.

“A large part of that is really due to the rising costs of the food, and with all the uncertainties of the election up in the air,” he said. “We are not immune to some of those changes, so we saw just a shortage of food in the amount of food we’ve been able to receive and have so far, in order to prepare for the meals that we need to for Thanksgiving.”

The program, which typically serves hundreds of unhoused residents and low-income families, has long been a beacon of hope for those without access to a kitchen.

“I went years without a home cooked meal, and I remember the first time I had a homecooked meal, after many, many years,” said Shawn Morrissey, who is formerly unhoused and currently serves as organization’s vice president of advocacy and community engagement.

“It just hit differently, it tasted different. It’s different than ordering at a fast food restaurant, or eating  at a restaurant, or eating at a shelter,” Morrissey said. “There’s something about a home-cooked meal that is just different.”

Galeano hopes the community will respond to their urgent plea, especially before their program starts next week, and help the nonprofit “provide some dignity, some hope, some food for families to put on the table”

One of the biggest challenges for families that have working parents is they have to choose paying rents and bills vs. buying groceries, he said.

“So if we can alleviate some of the needs for buying groceries and paying for that, and keep people housed,” Galeano  said, “We want to do that, especially this time of the year.”

To help USHS provide a warm Thanksgiving meal, drop off food donations in-person, or donate online through their Amazon wishlist or website. The full list of food needs and links can be found at ushs.org/dinner-in-the-park.

In-Person Donations can be dropped off  from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the USHS Administrative Building 825 E. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104, or from 7 a.m to 5 p.m. at the USHS Adult Center. 412 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105

People interested in providing donations are also encouraged to call David Sentente at (626) 255-0258.