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PASADENA, CA — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and his family joined Union Station Homeless Services at Pasadena’s Dinner in the Park 2022 to distribute prepared Thanksgiving meals to adults and families experiencing homelessness and poverty, senior citizens, and those who are alone at the holidays and unable to afford a holiday meal. For over 50 years, Dinner in the Park has been a beloved holiday tradition run by Union Station Homeless Services to ensure that all who are hungry have access to a Thanksgiving meal.
“As we cherish the times spent around the table with our loved ones this holiday season, it is encouraging to see our communities come together to support those in need during this season and year-round,” said Senator Padilla. “My family was grateful for the opportunity to join Union Station Homeless Services and their volunteers today to distribute meals to those in our community who otherwise may not have had a Thanksgiving meal to enjoy.”
“We were thrilled to welcome Senator Padilla and his family to our annual Thanksgiving Dinner in the Park and grateful to them for volunteering to ensure those less fortunate have a delicious Thanksgiving dinner,” stated Anne Miskey, Union Station Homeless Services CEO. “We know that hunger and homelessness do not end after the holidays, and we truly appreciate the Senator’s ongoing commitment to helping the most vulnerable. We look forward to continuing to work with him to ensure all people in our communities have healthy food, and a safe and welcoming place to call home.”
Senator Padilla has been a strong advocate for addressing food insecurity and supporting community organizations that provide food to those in need. Last Thanksgiving, Padilla volunteered at a grocery giveaway at Santa Monica College. Padilla introduced the Basic Assistance for Students in College (BASIC) Act and the Student Food Security Act of 2021. These bicameral pieces of legislation address food insecurity on college campuses by ensuring that basic needs are being met while students pursue their education through grants and increase access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Padilla is also a cosponsor of the Military Hunger Prevention Act and the Military Family Nutrition Access Act, which are bipartisan bills that would combat food insecurity among members of the Armed Forces and their families.
