Pasadena-based organization appeals to donors in order to preserve a 50-year-long Thanksgiving tradition

Pasadena, California – Union Station Homeless Services is hoping that the community will step forward with donations since they are needed more than ever in order to preserve a 50-year-long tradition of helping the homeless.

Anywhere from 3,000 to 4,000 meals for Thanksgiving are served by the Union Station on an annual basis to those who are most in need. But this year’s tradition is in jeopardy since there has been a significant decrease in the number of food donations.

The Pasadena-based organization received a donation of frozen turkeys but is still a long way from meeting its goal. The drop in frozen turkey donations is mostly due to the avian flu, which caused a nationwide shortage and resulted in empty shelves at grocery stores. On top of that, inflation also played a role, and the high prices caused headaches for customers.

Union Station has established a wish list with Amazon and Target on its website in order to ease the process for those interested in donating so that they can shop online and have their purchases delivered straight to the Union Station Center in Pasadena.

Those in charge at the Union Station are hoping that there will be some last-minute donations and that they will be able to put a smile on the faces of the homeless for the holiday.