Celebs — they live a pretty storied life. Private planes, massive homes, attractive co-stars — it’s all in a day’s work. But it doesn’t mean they’re not grateful, and these are the charities on the West Coast and East Coast where, alongside some big names, you can feed those less fortunate before your own celebration on Thanksgiving day.
The nonprofit: Los Angeles Mission
The celebs: Harrison Ford, Calista Flockhart, Alyssa Milano, Bella Thorne, Hilary Duff, Janel Parrish, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Neil Patrick Harris, Liam Hemsworth, Zoe Saldana
Details: Los Angeles Mission is there to put an end to homelessness and provide for the poor. The organization leads with love, and its vision is to see individuals and families become physically and spiritually healthy. Through clothing and food aid and residential and non-residential programs, Los Angeles Mission provides the tools people need to live healthy and productive lives, including access to literacy, vocational and academic training. Above all, the organization aspires to provide an environment wherein each person — from volunteers to those in need — is unafraid and is empowered to have fun and live a positive life.
The nonprofit: The Bowery Mission
The celebs: Bridget Moynahan, Liev Schreiber, Alain Bernard
Details: The Bowery Mission serves New Yorkers in need of shelter and nourishment. Since 1870, the organization has been providing meals, shelter and clothing to thousands around the city who need it most. Through residential and community programs, The Bowery Mission helps clients progress toward independent living and a host of other personal goals. In a city where nearly one in every 106 people is homeless, The Bowery Mission provides the essential services needed to help provide opportunities to get people out of shelters, off the streets, and into safe and supportive environments.
The nonprofit: Citymeals on Wheels
The celebs: Kathleen Turner, John Travolta, Queen Latifah, James Beard, Daniel Boulud
Details: Citymeals on Wheels serves homebound elderly New Yorkers fresh meals on weekends and holidays. As one of celebrity chef James Beard’s legacies, Citymeals on Wheels has delivered 62 million meals to older New Yorkers who need them in all five boroughs of NYC since 1981. There are more than 1.4 million people over the age of 60 in New York, and the population is expected to grow. Many elders struggle with health conditions and otherwise compromising scenarios that make access to food difficult, and many do not have family or support. Citymeals on Wheels steps in to ensure that no elderly New Yorker goes hungry and that holidays and weekends are the times of celebration that they should be.
