Thanksgiving for the homeless - 29th November 2023

The USA’s Thanksgiving holiday saw 55.4 million Americans travel home to friends and family. But for people who are homeless or poor, charities like the Los Angeles Mission organised Thanksgiving meals.

Thanksgiving at the LA Mission has become a tradition for Micky Giblin.

Micky Giblin: "This is my 21st holiday meal with them. So I've been here for 10 years, Thanksgiving and Christmas. So yeah, I'm starting year 11, my 21st visit."

Over the last year, US food prices have increased by 10.5 percent. Homelessness there has increased by 80 percent since 2015. This means charities like the LA Mission are needed now more than ever.

Mayor Karen Bass is trying to get housing for homeless people.

Karen Bass: "We've been housing people and getting them off the streets immediately. However, there are 46,000 people on the street so it takes a while but we were able to get 18,000 housed this year. More to come next year."

If someone has a home address, they can apply for jobs. LA Mission President Troy Vaughn used to be homeless. He knows how important the LA Mission’s work is.

Troy Vaughn: "I ate in the Los Angeles Mission a lot of times during the holidays. So ironic, I'm now full circle, actually serving the meals where I got served, providing beds where I once slept, and so it's pretty amazing actually."

This year, 1,500 people in need ate a holiday meal at the LA Mission. Carlos Schmidt, who’s often alone at Thanksgiving, enjoyed spending time with other people. He’s thankful for the services that the mission offers.

Carlos Schmidt: "Everybody's coming together and they're putting their resources together and they're showing love to people. Especially me, Thanksgiving usually I spend by myself but I'm here, good music playing. Everybody's smiling and enjoying themselves, having a good time."