Thanksgiving: Hundreds of volunteers fan out across San Francisco hoping to give back

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — On this Thanksgiving holiday, volunteers are giving hope by giving back.

“It’s my first year in the city so I thought I’d give back after moving here,” said Joey Nerad, a volunteer.

Joey Nerad is one of the 200 volunteers at the Salvation Army in San Francisco today helping those in need.

“It feels good,” said Nerad.

“We’ve got over 160 routes that are going to be driven by volunteers. Some people have rented cars and given up of their time to be able to deliver these meals,” said Major Matthew Madsen with the Salvation Army.

In Chinatown San Francisco, an army of volunteers are mobilizing at Lady Shaw Senior Center.

Many of them are peace officers and first responders turning out to support Asian seniors and the community organization Self-Help For the Elderly with its annual meal delivery.

“This is our 39th anniversary,” said Anni Chung, CEO of Self-Help for the Elderly. “We started this tradition of Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day.”

VIDEO: How a 911 call gave San Jose father purpose to bake, deliver pies to fire stations on Thanksgiving

With a little elbow grease, volunteers are carving turkeys, packing up meals, and delivering dinners to 4,000 homebound seniors.

Officers in patrol cars, ambulances, fire engines roll out across the city to share a little holiday love.

“This has been going on for three decades where prior police chiefs, sheriffs, park rangers, and elected officials have all come together on their day off,” said Commander Jack Hart with San Francisco Police Department.

More than 300 volunteers help out with this special self-help for the elderly event. It’s a lesson for many generations.

“I got started in this when I was a little baby cadet. Now, 25 years later we’re still here. My kids are here. Family members enjoy coming and its really multigenerational now, recognizing this day of giving and service and really a day of gratitude and thanks,” said Hart.

Audrey Moy, a retired investigator with the DA’s office, says volunteering makes a big difference.

“I’ve been coming (and volunteering) for almost 37 years. I’m 76 years old,” said Moy. “A lot of people don’t get out to have their dinners. So, when I deliver them, they are very happy. I enjoy doing it and working with other law enforcement agencies.”

“Whenever you do something like this, its 10-fold back to you. And it’s the good feelings you get from doing it,” said Chief David Murphy, San Francisco Park Ranger.

Thanksgiving — Many people agree that it’s a time for caring and sharing.

San Francisco’s Glide Memorial Church hosted their Thanksgiving Celebration, distributing thousands of meals across the city.

“Today alone, we’re giving out 130 turkeys, 70 hams, and there’s just so much need right now in the current climate,” said Naeemah Charles, Sr. Director of GLIDE Center for Social Justice.

Volunteers were hard at work carving the turkey and ham, that would help make up Thanksgiving Day meals for community members in need.

Kara came to San Francisco from Napa just to volunteer, something she’s been doing for years.

“I just love to do it and try to give back a little bit to the community,” she said.

Though Thanksgiving meals were a big focus, GLIDE still made sure breakfast was also handed out to hundreds of community members.

“There is no hiccup with breakfast, because it is so important. I work with the community, and I see them, we will do anywhere between five and 700 meals for breakfast on any given day,” said Monique Mattox, one of GLIDE’s Free Meals Supervisors.

Former San Francisco Mayor London Breed was on hand to help serve it.

MORE: Salvation Army hosts annual Turkey Carve-Off in San Francisco

“GLIDE has been there for my family when people were not in the best situations,” she said, “Part of why I’m here is I want to give back to an organization that has done so much to be a blessing to me and to be a blessing to this city.”

This year, GLIDE said it’s seen a heartbreaking increase in people in need.

“Within the past month and a half, two months, we have seen an increase in families,” said Mattox, “We have seen an increase of families, four or five children coming through, and their parents coming through to say, we just don’t have the money to feed our children. And we welcome them.”

While an enthusiastic group of volunteers showed up on Thanksgiving Day, GLIDE says they also need volunteers year-round.

“We do 364, days of volunteering. The holidays are jam-packed. There’s a huge need, but there’s also a lull in January,” Charles said, “So we would love to have people come and volunteer with us during the holiday season but continue that throughout January and throughout the year.

To find out how to volunteer, click here.