Interfaith Services in Escondido has been serving a free Thanksgiving meal to North County residents for the past 38 years. This year, more than a hundred people gathered to enjoy a delicious meal and celebrate the spirit of gratitude. Ann Fleming, a regular attendee for the past 15 years, expressed her gratitude for the milestone of being clean and sober for 25 years. She shared that having her own place now meant a lot to her.
The event was a hit, with a line forming out the door even before the doors opened. Within the first 20 minutes, 80 people had already been served a full Thanksgiving feast, complete with salad, turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, a roll, and a slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream. Jazmin Oregon, the Director of Inland Services at Interfaith, brought 15 family members along to assist with serving the meals, emphasizing the importance of helping those in need.
Geri Mu, a dedicated volunteer at Interfaith for the past 12 years, shared her journey of volunteering, which began with her daughter’s interest in giving back at just 14 years old. Together, they have been serving meals in the kitchen weekly, with Geri Mu’s daughter, Cassandra Hom, eventually pursuing a career as a social worker due to her experiences at Interfaith. Volunteering has now become a family tradition, with the entire family coming together to volunteer on Thanksgiving Day.
The sense of joy and community spirit was evident throughout the event, with volunteers like Geri Mu and her family members working tirelessly to ensure that everyone felt special and cared for on Thanksgiving. The opportunity to provide for others and make a positive impact on their lives has been a rewarding experience for all involved.
In addition to the Thanksgiving meal, Interfaith Services also played a vital role in providing food for 231 families in need in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. The organization’s commitment to serving the community and spreading joy during the holiday season is truly commendable. This longstanding tradition of giving back and coming together as a community exemplifies the true spirit of Thanksgiving and gratitude.
