Story by Eddie Zhou
Staff Writer
Graphic courtesy of Care First and Black Lives Matter South Pasadena
Contributors
Local advocacy groups Care First South Pasadena and Black Lives Matter (BLM) South Pasadena are embracing gratitude by hosting a Thanksgiving Day dinner and cold weather gear distribution for unhoused people in the community.
Those who wish to donate can order items from the groups’ Amazon wish list. The groups are seeking donations of new socks, fleece blankets, hand warmer packets, sleeping bags, cases of water, and juice boxes. The Lost Parrot Café will also assist with providing hot meals.
The coronavirus has had a particularly negative impact on unhoused people, prompting Care First and BLM South Pasadena to collaborate and take action. Public spaces that normally provide daytime shelter for those experiencing homelessness have closed while nighttime shelters have reduced or limited capacity.
“We are grateful [that] the South Pasadena community can come together to offer a hot meal and some cold weather supplies in our city,” Care First member Ella Hashugen said. “We plan to continue doing outreach year round to get to know our unhoused neighbors better, and hopefully address their specific needs when they come up.”
Donations will be accepted up until the night of Wednesday, Nov. 25, and participants should contact Anne Bagasao at eabagasao@hotmail.com or via her Instagram @shesjustanne to arrange for drop off and pick up.
