Thanksgiving Feast

(2 votes)

Thanksgiving Feast, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026

Thanksgiving Eve · Now in Our 47th Year

A Seat at the Table for Every Neighbor

For one afternoon each November, St. Monica sets a table for everyone. For many of our guests it may be the only holiday meal they sit down to this year, and they leave with new clothes for the winter ahead.

Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026
1–4 p.m.
St. Monica Catholic Community

The Day

One Afternoon, a Thousand Places at the Table

11:30 a.m.
The line forms
Guests gather at the church gates on Washington Avenue. Bags and pets are checked at Baggage Claim. No tickets are needed.
1 p.m.
A seat at the table
Turkey, stuffing, sides and pie, served outdoors at tables by volunteers from every grade in our schools and every ministry in the parish.
After the meal
The Boutique
Each guest is escorted to choose new things: thermals, hoodies, socks, beanies, a sleeping bag, a toiletry kit.
Before they go
Help beyond the meal
Housing and homelessness-prevention services, low-income and medical assistance, all in one place.
All afternoon
Meals on the road
Volunteers deliver the feast to homebound neighbors.

Last Year, Together

What One Afternoon Made Possible

Hover or tap a card for the story behind the number.

1,019

meals served

The story ↻

853 shared at our tables, 126 carried to homebound neighbors and 40 sent to partner agencies.

4,000+

new items in the Boutique

The story ↻

Thermals, hoodies, sweatpants, beanies and socks, each chosen by the guest who wears it.

425

sleeping bags

The story ↻

Everyone who wanted a sleeping bag went home with one.

1,000

toiletry kits

The story ↻

Funded and assembled by Keith Baker, Kristin Hogan and their family, friends and colleagues.

125

turkeys

The story ↻

Given by the Pratt-Schwarzenegger family and prepared, with stuffing and gravy, by the Jonathan Club, Santa Monica.

1,000

pairs of socks

The story ↻

From Rick McGeagh and his family, as they have given for decades.

Give

What Your Gift Becomes

We buy fresh food and new clothing for the Feast. Here’s what a gift provides.

$5
Stuffing and juice for the table
$10
Green beans, cranberries and fresh onions
$15
Mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie
$25
A new hoodie or thermal layer
$50
A sleeping bag for a cold night

Give Any Amount

A gift to the Feast, used where it’s needed most.

Choose the Items

Pick exactly what you’d like to provide, from stuffing to sleeping bags.

Choose Items

Send a Sleeping Bag

Order one from our wish list and it ships straight to us.

Open Wish List

Give by Check

Drop it at the Parish Office or send it by mail.

Make it payable to St. Monica Catholic Church with “Thanksgiving Feast” in the memo, and mail it to 725 California Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403. Canned and other food donations aren’t needed this year.

Clothing Donations

Gather Warm Clothes for Our Guests

Collect any of the items below and bring them to church; any amount is welcome.

Start your own clothing drive with family, friends or coworkers!

The items we’re collecting, and our guests need most:

Winter Coats & Jackets
Thermal Sets
Hoodies & Sweaters
Sweatpants

New or gently used; if used, please wash them first.
Drop off your bundle after any Mass through Monday, Nov. 23, on the Grand Patio or at the Parish Office.
All sizes are welcome. Most needed: men’s L, XL and 2XL

Serve

Pull Up a Chair on the Other Side of the Table

Hundreds of volunteers make the day happen, from the kitchen to the Boutique to the delivery routes. Volunteer sign-ups open Friday, Oct. 30; watch the Weekly Witness and parish announcements for the link.

And please keep our guests in your prayers.

For Our Guests

You’re Invited

The Feast: Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1–4 p.m.

A warm Thanksgiving meal is served outdoors at tables. Afterward, choose new clothing, thermals, sleeping bags and toiletries in our Boutique, and meet with housing, medical and other assistance services.

The line begins at 11:30 a.m. at the church gates on Washington Avenue and extends toward 7th Street. No tickets are given out ahead of time.

Bags and pets are kept at Baggage Claim and returned when you leave. Restrooms and bottled water are available.

Homebound Meal Delivery: Reserve by Sunday, Nov. 8

Meals are delivered Wednesday, Nov. 25, between 1 and 4 p.m. To reserve, call (310) 566-1543 or email with:

First and last name
Phone number
Number of meals
Delivery address
Delivery notes (gate code, room number)

We’ll let you know your delivery window on Tuesday, Nov. 24; please be home to receive your meal. Routes aren’t based on distance from St. Monica, and we can’t make same-day changes or menu substitutions.

With Thanks

It Takes a Whole Community

To our guests, donors, partners, volunteers, parish staff and clergy, and our pastor, Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson, thank you. Among last year’s partners: