Center Puts On Free Thanksgiving Lunch

Azie Lee Johnson rode the bus Tuesday morning to the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center to help with final preparations for the center’s first Thanksgiving Family Festival.

“This is just my thing,” said Johnson, 77, who distributes groceries every week at her church.

When everything was in place, Johnson joined about 150 people for a free Thanksgiving lunch for the community. An additional 250 to 300 people were expected in the late afternoon for dinner served by volunteers and local politicians.

“It’s a great event that’s worthy of our time and energy,” said Los Angeles Councilman Alex Padilla, who dished out meals in the late afternoon alongside his staff. “That’s what kind of community this is. It’s hard working, blue collar, and we have our share of challenges. But as tough as we have it, we know there are others who have it tougher.”

The event was put together in three weeks after resident Alex Tucker suggested the idea to park officials. He solicited local businesses and politicians and ended up with about $5,000 in cash and food for the party. Any leftover money will be used for future events and programs.

“It’s nice for the community to fellowship together,” said Tucker, a former aide to Mayor Richard Riordan and then-Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon. The event was planned two days before Thanksgiving because “closer to the holiday, they have other free meals and baskets.”

“We wanted to hit people who don’t have a place to go or family to be with,” said Robin Pearson, senior recreation director at the center.

Rosa Flores, whose 19-month-old daughter, Maria Ramon, loves to eat “everything,” enjoyed a relaxing lunch listening to Christmas tunes.

“The music really puts you in the mood for the holidays,” she said.