The Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) are hosting two Thanksgiving events this week, including a luncheon at Dodger Stadium serving veterans experiencing homelessness and a Thanksgiving Grab and Go drive thru in South L.A.
The luncheon is taking place on Thursday, when Dodger Stadium will be transformed into a festive space as the club opens its gates to more than 400 veterans experiencing homelessness for a memorable Thanksgiving lunch.
Each of the special guests will be treated to a traditional Thanksgiving feast, prepared by LEVY. In addition to the meal, every veteran will receive a gift bag filled with essentials and tokens of appreciation.
In addition, the veterans will have the opportunity to take a photograph with the 2020 World Series trophy and a special raffle will be held, offering an array of exciting prizes.
Gavin Lux, Chris Taylor and Fernando Valenzuela will be among the current and former players at the event. Dodgers broadcasters Joe Davis and Stephen Nelson will also be on hand, in addition to Kristin McCowan, the Dodgers senior director of government and community affairs.
The veterans will come from Veterans of America Los Angeles (VOALA), Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supporting Housing (HUD-VASH), VOALA Transitional housing, VOALA Supportive Service to Veterans Families (SSVF), VOALA Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program, VOALA Los Angeles VA Medical Center and People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) HUD-VASH, SSVF and Transitional Housing.
The Dodgers are providing buses to ensure that all veterans have transportation.
For nearly two decades, the Dodgers have provided turkeys to the local community during the holiday season. This year, the Dodgers donated a total of $30,000 to six local charities that will provide turkeys and trimmings to Angelenos in need.
Dodgers Thanksgiving Grab and Go with Mookie Betts
On Friday, the LADF, in partnership with the Brotherhood Crusade (BHC), UCLA Health, Mookie Betts’ 50/50 Foundation and councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, will host a Thanksgiving Grab and Go drive-thru at Algin Sutton Recreation Center in South L.A., home to Dodgers Dreamfields Nos. 1 and 50.
Mookie and Brianna Betts will join volunteers in distributing groceries for Thanksgiving meals including turkey, fixings and dessert. Each family will also receive a care kit from UCLA Health. Shawn and Sharhonda Stockman founders of Micah’s Voice have also contributed to the distribution.
The event, which is open to the public and first come, first serve, will provide 1,500 meals free of charge, while supplies last. The event begins at 10:30 a.m PT and runs through 1:00 p.m. at 8800 S Hoover St. in Los Angeles.
Since 2018, LADF has provided Brotherhood Crusade with over $416,000 in grants. This year is the third year of the 50 Feeds LA Campaign, started in partnership with Mookie’s 50/50 Foundation to address food insecurity.
Dodgers fans supported the campaign in Dodger Stadium back in May and Betts matched funds, which allowed LADF to support BHC with their largest grant to date totaling $130,230.
In addition to the Betts’ family, LADF CEO Nichol Whiteman and president and CEO of BHC Charisse Bremond Weaver will also be in attendance.
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