Emu Meatloaf Goes on Holiday Menu

The Rev. Wiley S. Drake and Simon Caleb don’t have a lot in common.

Drake is a minister; Caleb is a businessman. One man is Christian; the other is Jewish. But Drake had a need and Caleb met it.

The Santa Margarita businessman, who raises and processes emu for food, donated 600 pounds of the meat this week to the First Southern Baptist Church, where Drake is pastor.

On Christmas Day, emu meatloaf will be served as a part of the church’s annual holiday dinner for the homeless and needy.

“I’ve eaten ostrich meat before,” Drake said. “But I’ve never had emu. . . . I’m looking forward to sampling it. I’ve heard it tastes a little like beef.”

Drake acknowledges it’s hard to predict if everyone will share his enthusiasm.

“Even though the people we will be serving are those in need, some may be more typical beef and turkey eaters. But I think most people will enjoy it. We will be having a nice dinner.”

He said the church is expecting 200 to 300 to partake of the dinner.

“I think it’s just great that Mr. Caleb decided to make this donation to us,” Drake said.

The donation idea came when Caleb began contemplating which charity he would give money to this year, according to a representative of his company. He’d read about Drake’s work with the homeless and his battle with Buena Park over the number of people the church was sheltering.

Ultimately, Caleb decided he could make a greater impact with a food donation, and decided to deliver the meat to Drake for the homeless.