Providing Thanksgiving Meals To-Go for the Homeless

November 22, 2020 was a day filled with jubilance and thanks. The AUHS Foundation and its team of volunteers gathered together at Second Samoan Congregational Church in Long Beach to give out free Thanksgiving meals, hygiene kits or sleeping bags, to the homeless population near downtown Long Beach. While there are many members in the public community who are fortunate enough to be spending the Thanksgiving holiday with a roof over their heads and a warm meal, there are also others who do not have access to those basic needs. In response, the AUHS Foundation provided food and supplies to those in dire need. The event was held from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and there were many volunteers who helped out. In addition to American University of Health Sciences family of faculty, staff and students, high school students from Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach and Shawn Xa of One Community, a non-profit, community organization that offers assistance and support to foster youth, single parents, and the homeless population, were present to help out for this good cause. “It brings me so much joy and light when those who are less fortunate are being helped and cared for by the local community. We want them to know that they are being considered and thought about and for that, they deserve to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving just as anyone else,” stated Mr. Xa. AUHS Co-Founder, Pastor Gregory A. Johnson, began the outdoor event with an opening prayer and greeted each attendee with a warm welcome, a personal message, and distributed $10 bills. Warm Thanksgiving meals in to-go boxes were prepared and packed along with a choice of either a hygiene kit or a sleeping bag for the attendees. AUHS Foundation thanks Second Samoan Congregational Church for allowing us to hold this event again on their property. But, most importantly, AUHS Foundation is grateful to God for providing His light to lead us in a life of service.