The Power of a Thanksgiving Meal to Bring Families Together
For Lorena Barba, a Thanksgiving turkey means bringing loved ones together and keeping family traditions alive. Through St. Joseph Center’s Share the Season campaign, donor generosity has helped make that gathering possible since 2015.
For Lorena Barba, a Thanksgiving turkey is more than the centerpiece of a holiday meal. It’s an opportunity to bring her family together, share memories and continue a tradition she holds dear. Since 2015, that tradition has been supported by St. Joseph Center’s Share the Season campaign and the generosity of its donors.
Lorena Barba’s connection to St. Joseph Center Food Pantry began in 1993, the year her daughter was born. When challenging life circumstances brought her back to the pantry in 2015, she learned about Share the Season, St. Joseph Center’s holiday campaign that provides Thanksgiving meals and gift cards to individuals and families in need. She signed up to receive a turkey, and it has been part of her family’s Thanksgiving preparations ever since.
Keeping Family Close
For Lorena Barba, Thanksgiving means welcoming family around the table, and she takes pride in making a meal for the people she loves. Some of her favorite Thanksgiving memories are of cooking together with her parents, sisters and other family members. Once everyone sits down, the conversation can range from faith and plans for the future to memories of loved ones who have passed away. As relatives have moved to different cities and states, gathering everyone has become harder, making their time together even more precious.
Lorena Barba is one of thousands of Angelenos whose holiday traditions are supported through St. Joseph Center’s Share the Season campaign. Thanks to the generosity of donors, staff, volunteers and community partners, nearly 2,000 people across Los Angeles received Thanksgiving assistance last year. For families like Lorena Barba’s, that support means more than food on the table. It means the opportunity to gather with loved ones and keep cherished traditions alive.
“I’m giving thanks for the community for helping me and my family.”
Passing Kindness Along
Lorena says the people at St. Joseph Center have become like family to her, too. The kindness she has received has inspired her to extend that same care to others. Sometimes, when she encounters someone experiencing homelessness, she offers an apple or an orange. It is a small gesture of kindness from someone who knows what it means to receive support.
For Lorena Barba, the generosity behind Share the Season extends far beyond Thanksgiving. What begins as a donated turkey becomes a family meal, a cherished memory and an inspiration to share that same kindness with others.
This holiday season, help more families like Lorena Barba’s gather around the table and create memories together.
Donate to St. Joseph Center’s Share the Season campaign today.
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