Feast and care in the heart of the city

 

As Thanksgiving approached, one of Long Beach’s most heartfelt annual traditions returned to the heart of downtown. Christian Outreach in Action (COA), a longstanding nonprofit committed to aiding the city’s most vulnerable, hosted its annual Thanksgiving Feast and Blessing Bag distribution on Saturday, November 29, 2025. The event was held at their location on 3rd Street, where the familiar scent of warm holiday meals drifted through the air, welcoming anyone in need of nourishment or community.

 

Volunteers, donors, and community members came together to serve hundreds of Thanksgiving meals with dignity and warmth. The feast included traditional holiday favorites, and the courtyard transformed into a shared space of kindness, conversation, and inclusion. Attendees were not asked for ID or proof of need — only a willingness to be cared for.

 

Blessing Bags: Practical support for daily dignity

 

Following the feast, COA distributed their annual “Blessing Bags” — large care packages filled with personal hygiene products, snacks, socks, bottled water, and ready-to-eat meals. These bags are carefully curated to serve the needs of individuals who may not have access to refrigeration, kitchens, or stable housing. The initiative allows guests to walk away with more than a full stomach — they leave with practical, ongoing support.

 

COA’s director noted that for many guests, this bag may be the most consistent source of supplies they receive all season. Volunteers take special care to include notes of encouragement and thoughtful touches, reinforcing the dignity and humanity of every recipient.

 

Community-powered, year after year

 

This tradition has continued for over a decade, drawing support from local families, churches, and civic groups. Many volunteers return year after year, bringing children or friends along to participate. For them, Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey, it’s about showing up for neighbors with love and consistency.

 

“We want everyone to feel seen, fed, and remembered,” said one longtime volunteer. “No one should be forgotten on Thanksgiving.”

 

A model for giving, rooted in Long Beach

 

At a time when economic challenges continue to ripple through the region, events like these are more essential than ever. Christian Outreach in Action offers a model not just for charity, but for solidarity. The message is simple: food, care, and belonging are for everyone. And in Long Beach, thanks to COA, they are.

 

 

Event Details

 

Thanksgiving Feast & Blessing Bag Giveaway
• 📅 Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
• 🕒 Time: Feast 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, Bags 1:00–3:00 PM
• 📍 Location: Christian Outreach in Action, 515 E. 3rd Street, Long Beach, CA 90802
• 🎟️ Admission: Free, open to all
• 📄 Details: Thanksgiving meal for the community, followed by the distribution of Blessing Bags with essential items.
CLICK HERE

 

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