On this day of Thanksgiving, hundreds of volunteers have descended upon San Francisco in a display of community spirit and selflessness. The Salvation Army has been at the forefront of these efforts, mobilizing over 200 volunteers to help deliver meals to those in need across the city.
Volunteers such as Joey Nerad, a newcomer to the city who is making it his mission to give back, are spending their Thanksgiving Day carving turkeys and packing up meals. The sense of fulfillment is palpable as they work tirelessly to bring hope and sustenance to the community.
Major Matthew Madsen, with the Salvation Army, notes that this year's efforts are particularly crucial given the current climate. "We've got over 160 routes that are going to be driven by volunteers," he says. Some individuals have even gone so far as to rent cars and dedicate their day to delivering meals, a testament to the generosity of those who are participating.
Chinatown is another hub of activity, where an army of volunteers has gathered at the Lady Shaw Senior Center to support Asian seniors and the community organization Self-Help For the Elderly with its annual meal delivery. The tradition, which dates back to 1984, aims to bring together law enforcement officers, first responders, and elected officials for a day of service.
Anni Chung, CEO of Self-Help for the Elderly, reflects on the significance of this event. "This is our 39th anniversary," she says. "We started this tradition of Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day." It's a testament to the enduring power of community spirit and the impact that one day of service can have.
Meanwhile, at San Francisco's Glide Memorial Church, thousands of meals are being distributed across the city as part of their Thanksgiving Celebration. The church has seen an increase in people in need over the past month and a half, with many families struggling to make ends meet.
The need for volunteers is greater than ever, according to GLIDE Center for Social Justice's Naeemah Charles, Sr. Director. While the holiday season brings out a surge of volunteers, the organization also relies on individuals to continue their efforts throughout the year.
As volunteers like Kara, who has been volunteering with GLIDE for years, point out, "I just love to do it and try to give back a little bit to the community." The experience is not limited to the holiday season; GLIDE does 364 days of volunteering each year, with January being one of its busiest periods.
For those interested in lending a hand, GLIDE is always looking for volunteers. As Anni Chung notes, "We would love to have people come and volunteer with us during the holiday season but continue that throughout January and throughout the year."
Volunteers such as Joey Nerad, a newcomer to the city who is making it his mission to give back, are spending their Thanksgiving Day carving turkeys and packing up meals. The sense of fulfillment is palpable as they work tirelessly to bring hope and sustenance to the community.
Major Matthew Madsen, with the Salvation Army, notes that this year's efforts are particularly crucial given the current climate. "We've got over 160 routes that are going to be driven by volunteers," he says. Some individuals have even gone so far as to rent cars and dedicate their day to delivering meals, a testament to the generosity of those who are participating.
Chinatown is another hub of activity, where an army of volunteers has gathered at the Lady Shaw Senior Center to support Asian seniors and the community organization Self-Help For the Elderly with its annual meal delivery. The tradition, which dates back to 1984, aims to bring together law enforcement officers, first responders, and elected officials for a day of service.
Anni Chung, CEO of Self-Help for the Elderly, reflects on the significance of this event. "This is our 39th anniversary," she says. "We started this tradition of Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day." It's a testament to the enduring power of community spirit and the impact that one day of service can have.
Meanwhile, at San Francisco's Glide Memorial Church, thousands of meals are being distributed across the city as part of their Thanksgiving Celebration. The church has seen an increase in people in need over the past month and a half, with many families struggling to make ends meet.
The need for volunteers is greater than ever, according to GLIDE Center for Social Justice's Naeemah Charles, Sr. Director. While the holiday season brings out a surge of volunteers, the organization also relies on individuals to continue their efforts throughout the year.
As volunteers like Kara, who has been volunteering with GLIDE for years, point out, "I just love to do it and try to give back a little bit to the community." The experience is not limited to the holiday season; GLIDE does 364 days of volunteering each year, with January being one of its busiest periods.
For those interested in lending a hand, GLIDE is always looking for volunteers. As Anni Chung notes, "We would love to have people come and volunteer with us during the holiday season but continue that throughout January and throughout the year."
this is so awesome!! i was thinking about how much we gotta give back 2 our community and seeing all these ppl coming together 2 make a difference is literally the best thing i've seen in ages 
the Salvation Army, GLIDE, Self-Help for the Elderly... these orgs r doing amazing work & it's not just on Thanksgiving Day either, they're always there 2 help out 
i wish more ppl would do this kinda stuff, 'cause i know we can make a difference w/ a little bit of kindness & effort 
200+ volunteers helpin out and makin a difference in their community. its not just about the food, its about showin some love and care for those who need it most. we all should try to be more like these volunteers and spread some kindness wherever we go 
i'm literally swooning over these community vibes 
200+ volunteers just showing up in San Francisco to help out? that's what i call a beautiful display of kindness 
it's so inspiring to see people like joey nerad making it his mission to give back, and then there's anni chung, CEO of Self-Help for the Elderly, who's been running this tradition for 39 years 
anyway, i'm just gonna say it: these volunteers are the real MVPs 
What really gets me though, is the longevity of these efforts. Like, Anni Chung says they've been doing this tradition for 39 years and it's still going strong. That's commitment! 
meanwhile GLIDE Memorial Church is doing their thing too, distributing thousands of meals across the city... it's like they're trying to feed the whole town 
So I'm all for community service like this on Thanksgiving Day, its really beautiful to see so many ppl giving back. But can we talk about sustainability? All these volunteers are doing one-day gigs which is great, but what happens after Jan 1st? How do they keep the momentum going? We need more systemic change not just a one-time event. 
. I mean, it's not just about giving back during Thanksgiving, but also showing that community spirit can happen all year round. And with over 200 volunteers on the ground today, it's clear that people care 
. Plus, it's great to see organizations like Self-Help for the Elderly continuing a tradition that started back in 1984 
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