Matthew Barnett, the co-founder of the Los Angeles Dream Center, recently spoke with The Stream about his organization’s turkey giveaway and the importance of helping those in need.

The Los Angeles Dream Center

“I think people in the city need a shot in the arm,” said Matthew Barnett. His organization, in partnership with other organizations, gave away 1500 turkeys and all the trimmings Monday at the Los Angeles Dream Center. The turkey drive through giveaway helped feed over 10,000 people in need. “I think it’s been a real big emotional lift to the community as much as it’s really helped meet the need as well.”

In addition to the turkey giveaway, the LA Dream Center also fed hot meals to those who walked up to the center. Between the giveaway and the hot meals, Matthew estimates that the LA Dream Center fed about 15,000 people. 

Helping the Poor Every Day

The food giveaway wasn’t a one-time event. The LA Dream Center gives away food all year long. “We have had 264 straight days of feeding people nonstop every day through our drive through and our walk up line.” 

The LA Dream Center isn’t just a soup kitchen. They also serve the homeless, those addicted to drugs or alcohol, victims of human trafficking and homeless veterans. The Center is located in a historic building in Los Angeles just off the 101 freeway. They offer programs that will help the down and out become productive in society. 

Others Who Helped

Along with the Dream Center, Wal-Mart, the Justin Turner Foundation, Anthem Blue Cross and AM570 contributed to the event. It was a success. “It was an amazing success. We had the whole police department show up. We had 50 police officers who did the whole thing with us.” There was also a LAPD helicopter flying over the event as a thank you to those who contributed and showed their commitment to the community. Dodgers player Justin Turner came and donated 500 turkeys. All day long, participants would make runs to get more turkeys. At the end they had only five turkeys left. “I think there’s some multiplication going on there, but I can’t really prove it. [But] I feel it!”

The LA Dream Center isn’t done giving away food for Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving Day, the organization will be serving hot meals to an additional 10,000 people.

The Los Angeles Dream Center is a faith-based non-profit dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals and families in Los Angeles through residential and outreach programs. Co-founder Matthew Barnett is also the senior pastor of Angelus Temple.

Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.