San Fernando Valley’s Thanksgiving Day Drumstick Dash raises money to feed the homeless – Daily News

“Move your feet so others can eat.” »

This is the slogan of the ninth edition of Hope the Mission. Annual Wand Dash raise money to feed the homeless.

Nearly 10,000 people – about 7,500 runners and 2,000 enthusiastic spectators – gathered in North Hollywood on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28, for 5K and 10K races through the NoHo Arts District. Organizers billed the annual fundraiser as the largest Thanksgiving 5K/10K race in Los Angeles County.

Related: Thanksgiving Army Volunteers Feed the Needy in Los Angeles County

The event, which organizers put together with the help of more than 200 volunteers, also included a “Lil’ Gobblers Run,” a costume contest, free prizes and giveaways, and a live DJ.

Money raised during the event goes to pay for meals prepared by Hope the Mission, which provides sheltermeals and other services for homeless people. The San Fernando Valley-based nonprofit provides more than 2.8 million hot meals annually, according to his website.

“It’s a real priority for us that these meals are mostly made from scratch,” said Rowan Vansleve, president of Hope the Mission. “You want something cooked with love and intention. Many people living in our shelters have experienced trauma. We want to offer them quality food. »

The concept behind the Thanksgiving Day run is that on a day known for binging, you can also “move your feet so others can eat.”

More than 75,000 people are homeless in Los Angeles Countyaccording to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s homeless count for 2024 — a number that remained virtually unchanged from the previous year.

Vansleve said the need to help people experiencing homelessness remains great.

Seeing nearly 10,000 people come together on Thanksgiving Day to support a good cause is inspiring and demonstrates what Angelenos can accomplish when communities come together, Vansleve said.

“I’m very proud to be a part of Los Angeles,” he said. “It reminds me that Los Angeles is bigger and better than any homeless crisis.”

Dozens of other distance races took to the streets across the county – and country – most with puny names: Gobble Wobbles, Drumstick Dashes and Huffing for Stuffings. While most races took place on Thanksgiving Day, some are taking place this weekend.

In Pasadena, proceeds from the annual Turkey Trot went directly to the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, which aims to preserve and protect the future of the stadium.

Each participant also had the opportunity to make a donation to the Pasadena Unified School District, to support its athletic programs.

Turkey Trot Los Angeles, in downtown Los Angeles, raised funds for The Midnight Mission’s programs aimed at finding ways of self-sufficiency for homeless individuals and families. The event includes a mile-long Dog Jog at 7:30 a.m., a 5K starting in waves at 8 and 8:15 a.m., the 10K at 9 a.m. and a quarter-mile “Widdle Wobble” for “kids of all ages.” . ‘at 10:15 a.m.

There was a new route for the 10k, which started at City Hall, looped around Bunker Hill, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, to the Philippine Town, and then onto Spring Street. Runners will turn around at Ninth Street, then return to City Hall for the finish.

The 44th Annual Harry Sutter Memorial Turkey Trot 3-Mile Fun Run began in the Sam’s Club parking lot at the Torrance Crossroads Center. The race was organized by the Torrance Community Services Department, which invited runners and spectators to bring a can of food for a special Thanksgiving food drive. The canned goods will be distributed to people in need throughout the South Bay.

Hundreds of early risers participated in the 22nd annual Long Beach Turkey Trot. Excited runners donned their best Thanksgiving ensembles – from dressing as a turkey to performing their favorite Christmas pies – for the popular event hosted by Justin Rudd’s Community Action Team.

The Turkey Trot helps raise funds for the CAT, which hosts more than 40 annual events, including monthly beach cleanups, the Belmont Shore Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest and the Interfaith Blessing of the Animals.

The event, however, also served as a food drive for the AIDS Food Store of Long Beach – with Turkey Trot participants encouraged to bring canned foods and other non-perishable items to donate before heading out in their race.

Other races on Thursday include the 31st Annual Thanksgiving Day Race & Food Drive in La Cañada Flintridge, the 10th Annual Pacific Palisades Turkey Trot, the 16th Annual College of the Canyons Turkey Trot in Valencia and the Thanksgiving 5K, 10K, 15K and Half Marathon on a beach path in Santa Monica.

The fourth annual Skatesgiving 10K skate race and food drive for skateboarders, roller skaters and inline skaters took place at Barnard Way Linear Park in Santa Monica.

Kristy Hutchings, Ryan Carter and City News Service contributed to this report