Tag: 18218448

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — San Francisco’s Glide Memorial Church hosted their Thanksgiving Celebration, distributing thousands of meals across the city.

“Today alone, we’re giving out 130 turkeys, 70 hams, and there’s just so much need right now in the current climate,” said Naeemah Charles, Sr. Director of GLIDE Center for Social Justice.

Volunteers were hard at work carving the turkey and ham, that would help make up Thanksgiving Day meals for community members in need.

Kara came to San Francisco from Napa just to volunteer, something she’s been doing for years.

MORE: Salvation Army hosts annual Turkey Carve-Off in San Francisco

“I just love to do it and try to give back a little bit to the community,” she said.

Though Thanksgiving meals were a big focus, GLIDE still made sure breakfast was also handed out to hundreds of community members.

“There is no hiccup with breakfast, because it is so important. I work with the community, and I see them, we will do anywhere between five and 700 meals for breakfast on any given day,” said Monique Mattox, one of GLIDE’s Free Meals Supervisors.

Former San Francisco Mayor London Breed was on hand to help serve it.

“GLIDE has been there for my family when people were not in the best situations,” she said, “Part of why I’m here is I want to give back to an organization that has done so much to be a blessing to me and to be a blessing to this city.”

VIDEO: How a 911 call gave San Jose father purpose to bake, deliver pies to fire stations on Thanksgiving

This year, GLIDE said it’s seen a heartbreaking increase in people in need.

“Within the past month and a half, two months, we have seen an increase in families,” said Mattox, “We have seen an increase of families, four or five children coming through, and their parents coming through to say, we just don’t have the money to feed our children. And we welcome them.”

While an enthusiastic group of volunteers showed up on Thanksgiving Day, GLIDE says they also need volunteers year-round.

“We do 364, days of volunteering. The holidays are jam-packed. There’s a huge need, but there’s also a lull in January,” Charles said, “So we would love to have people come and volunteer with us during the holiday season but continue that throughout January and throughout the year.

To find out how to volunteer, click here.