Thanksgiving in the Southland

Melvin Cabrera, of Anaheim, feeds his son, Kevin, 1, a Thanksgiving dinner in the parking lot of the Honda Center in Anaheim where some 15,000 people were served a meal by the La Casa Garcia, and the We Give Thanks Inc. For the 22nd year Frank Garcia and an army of volunteers prepared 900 turkeys. This year the hosts said there were more people than ever.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

John Nieblas, 68, eats his free Thanksgiving dinner served a meal by the La Casa Garcia, and the We Give Thanks Inc.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

While serving Thanksgiving meals at the Fred Jordan Mission in downtown Los Angeles, Living Waters Church members Chris Styles (left, with arms raised), Mariah Hatcher and Ashley Bailey take a moment to dance to the gospel group performing at the event.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Volunteers Tish Graves, center, and Leila Entezam, with head bowed, pray with Florentino Garcia at the Fred Jordan Mission in downtown Los Angeles.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Volunteers including Naudeep Sagoo, right, serve turkey dinners at the Fred Jordan Mission.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

The Thanksgiving Day meal at the Fred Jordan Mission in downtown Los Angeles served thousands of needy and homeless people.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

The San Gabriel Mission Parish held a Thanksgiving Mass in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Some who attended brought bread they will include in their Thanksgiving meal to be blessed.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Antonia Garcia, attending Thursday’s Mass, has been part of the congregation at San Gabriel Mission for more than 25 years.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Clergy lead Thanksgiving Mass at the San Gabriel Mission.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Gabriel Castaneda, 9 months, gets a lift from his granddad, Michael Hernandez, at the Mass.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Maria Gonzalez, 88, was among parishioners at Thursday’s Mass at San Gabriel Mission.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)