COSTA MESAS : Restaurateur Helps Feed the Needy, Too

For the fourth year, restaurateur Michael Kang will feed the hungry at the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen on Thanksgiving.

Someone Cares director Merle Hatleberg expects to serve “at least” 800 people on the holiday, compared to 700 last year.

“He’s so wonderful,” Hatleberg said of Kang, who owns the Five Feet restaurant in Laguna Beach and Five Feet Too in Newport Beach. “He’s having (120 turkeys) cooked, then bringing them over and he’s going to bring a crew and help me carve.”

Kang is also supplying the trimmings--dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce and other side dishes. In addition to the crew of volunteers, he and his wife Renee will also help carve and serve.

“When I talked to Merle a few days ago, I think she was in shock,” Kang said.

Fair Share 502, a nonprofit organization Kang helped start to benefit the homeless and needy in Orange County, raised the money for 75 turkeys. Kang received another 40 turkeys from the Newport Meat Co., one of his suppliers.

Kang began donating meals for the soup kitchen’s Thanksgiving feast four years ago with a gift of 25 turkeys. The next year, he provided 35 turkeys, and last year he donated 65.

Hatleberg said the soup kitchen is also asking for donations of fresh fruit and money to buy paper plates, napkins and cups.

Hatleberg said that in addition to the homeless and the needy, the invitation to the free feast extends to seniors who may be alone on Thanksgiving.

“We’re inviting anyone who’s hungry,” she said. “We’re inviting seniors, too. They may not be hungry, but I don’t think anyone should sit alone on Thanksgiving.”

After the feast, Hatleberg will resume her soup kitchen duties, making soup from the turkey bones that will stretch the donation even further. Every day, the soup kitchen makes 30 gallons of soup and serves up to 200 people.