Hundreds of meals for those in need are served carefully during the pandemic Thanksgiving
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The pandemic is not stopping the need to feed.
Hundreds of meals were prepared for those searching for a substantial plate of food on this Thanksgiving.
Adam's Angels a street-wise philanthropy group made the plan with the Unitarian Society Church and the Organic Soup Kitchen.
A two-hour time slot began at 1 p.m.
Adam McKaig, a local realtor, did a pivot earlier this year with a growing group of volunteers who have been helping those struggling during the virus crisis.
This has included food distribution, clothing give-a-ways, street outreach and other services.
McKaig was spotted shopping earlier this week including at a trip to Costco with a cart stacked high with pies. Other contributions came in from several sources.
"It's nice to be around positive, beautiful people. A lot of love, man," said Thomas Hanon who picked up his Thanksgiving meal. He said he has stopped by the park gatherings nearby too for clean clothing.
The Thanksgiving effort came together in less than two weeks, when other programs were not going to happen due to COVID issues. "We gathered 50-60 volunteers and entertainment and I think we pulled it off," said McCaig.
He was in the middle of a flurry of volunteers handing out bags to those in a spaced out long line down Santa Barbara Street.
Among the volunteers were members of the acclaimed La Boheme dance group. They were servers and broke out into a spontaneous dance routine to provide a quick burst of a mini-live show.
Word of the distribution got to those in need from a street team.
"We sent out brochures and flyers, we let the whole community know it's word of mouth," said Patty Pattee with Adam's Angels.
For nearly everyone it was much more than they would have ever received.
"I don't know what I got in my bag but at least it's something for Thanksgiving," said Frog Smith.
They had plenty of food. The extras went to delivery crews who went out to people on the street that couldn't make it to the church for their Thanksgiving meals .
McCaig said, "The food that we have here we are going out to camps and make sure those who could not make it here are fed. "
For Hanon, he sat down on a curbside wall and began eating on the spot.
"This community it's beautiful I can't say enough about Santa Barbara the love here and the way they take care of people."
He said when he first arrived in town he was given a new sleeping bag, and since then other assistance.
Thursday has been one of the key days for the connection with those in need at Alameda Park in downtown Santa Barbara. In addition to some grab and go items, there's also a hot meal and pet services, coordinated by Adam's Angels.
