INFO / FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Westside Thanksgiving Dinner & Celebration - Thanksgiving Day
NEW LOCATION - Please read carefully!
westsidethanksgiving@gmail.com | info 310-394-3131
- What time is dinner?
We’ll serve lunch between 11am-2pm this year. Then we’ll clean up until 4pm. - Where is the dinner?
West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Campus - When does the carnival open for the kids?
8am --11am - Where do I donate?
You can donate on line here. Clothing can be dropped off beginning Monday, November 25 (Monday through Wednesday 7am-9pm at First Presbyterian Church, 1220 2nd St.), or bring it to the V.A. Thanksgiving morning. - What do you need for the celebration that I can contribute?
We need lots of clothing, clean in good condition, especially men's pants. We need food and drinks. We need money to pay a lot of expenses. We need people who can organize their friends and groups to collect all kinds of donations. We need people to come work with us, especially in the afternoon/clean-up, post production shift. - How do I volunteer to help?
That's easy! Decide which of the five shifts (starting promptly at 6am, 8 am, 10am, noon, and 2pm.) you want to work, arrive early to park off-site and walk to the volunteer entrance. - What can I do ahead of time to help?
Start saving and collecting non-perishables: clothing, food (see list on home page) and money. - Where do I park?
Good question! Locations are on the home page under Parking. - Can I bring children to help?
Of course. Children under 18 will need to stay with their parents. They are welcome to join us in the carnival, too. - Who puts this on?
You do! It's entirely a volunteer effort. Thousands of people just like you have been blessing their friends and neighbors every Thanksgiving since 1982. - Why do you do this?
The tradition of setting aside a day for giving thanks as a national holiday has its roots with the Pilgrims and is uniquely American. The Continental Congress, Presidents Washington, Madison, Lincoln and every president since have proclaimed a national day of prayer and thanksgiving. We believe that we are merely stewards of all the blessings bestowed upon us. We believe in showing our gratitude and sharing our blessings with others, and we love getting together with friends to eat and celebrate. Everyone is invited! - Who pays for and supplies everything?
Everything is donated by people like you. Thank you! - Is my donation deductible?
Yes. You can get a tax receipt at the event when you donate. Checks paid to "VCF Westside" serve as your receipt for taxes. The Vineyard Christian Fellowship is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, and your donations as such, are deductible. - Can I help publicize the event?
By all means, tell your friends. To maintain the family, community atmosphere at the event, we don't allow press, commercial photography, or videos, and we don't promote the event, except to invite guests to come and bring their friends and family. - Why don't you advertise?
We find that press coverage tends to disrupt the family atmosphere of Thanksgiving dinner. We do this as an expression of gratitude for our blessings, not as a way to obtain publicity. - How should I dress?
Dress comfortably, ready to work. We'll be outside this year, and it may be chilly. It's a BIG event, with thousands of people. Don't bring in extra things that you'll have trouble keeping track of.
