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Gobble Gobble Give

November 20, 2014

Gobble Gobble Give is looking for volunteers on every level. Those who can give food, clothing, or toiletries and those who can donate their time on Thanksgiving day warming, packaging and delivering food. If you will be arriving to help us, please RSVP at one of the links below and plan on showing up at 10am .. We look forward to seeing you!

RSVP  the Raven Spa 208 Pier Ave, Santa Monica

Here’s how it works:

Everyone is asked to bring the following:

1. A DISH. “ALREADY HEATED” This is a potluck event. It can be as little as a side of vegetables or it can be three large bowls of your grandma’s famous “cranberry walnut stuffing”. We can always use Turkeys and main course items. Side dishes are great as well. Veggies, Veggies, Veggies. Mashed potatoes, yams, vegetables, greens, etc. Of course desserts are always awesome.

2. FIVE (5) SMALL TOILETRY KITS. that include a: toothbrush/toothpaste, soap and shampoo. You can get these items very inexpensively at $0.99 stores.

3. CLOTHING AND BLANKETS. Please bring any used blankets and/or gently used sweaters, jackets, shirts, socks, shoes, beanies/hats for men, women, children.

At 10:15 we begin a large “conveyor Belt” of food and with the help of everyone we put the meals together. We box them up together with care packages of tooth brushes, soap, clothes, etc..

At around 11: 00 a.m. the first vehicles begin to roll out. For those of you who have a car and want to drive you will be known as drivers. We will put a few people in your car with you and you will go out in two or three car teams. We hit the riverbeds, the alleys, the freeway overpasses. sometimes we discover small villages of people in dirt fields and empty lots. The vehicles return after delivering all the meals. We are always done by 1:00 p.m..

Here are definitions of the positions:

Early Birds … The day officially starts at 10:00 a.m. but there is a few of us who need to get there early to set things up, warm up the ovens, put tables up, etc… We are there as early as 7:30 a.m. If you are available and want to join us you are welcome.

Kitchen Crew … for heating and warming and carving and slicing. There is always work to do in the kitchen. It’s one of the messier jobs so we all roll up our sleeves. We have aprons and gloves. This is the nucleus of the event.

Conveyor Belt Crew … this is where it all goes down. There are about 100 people on both sides of a very long table putting food into “take out” containers. Napkins, plastic ware, etc. It’s kind of like working in the Army slop line I figure (but not as serious) and the food is a whole lot better.

Boxers … these are the people that handle the meals after they get off the conveyor belt. They put the meals with all the extras like clothes, waters, cleaning supplies and toothbrushes. This is the last stop before the meals go out.

Vehicle Coordinators … we need a few people to stand outside and direct the vehicles as they pull in to fill up with the goods. Kind of like being a traffic cop but a lot cooler.

Drivers … These are people that want to drive. We will fill your car with meals and other volunteers. You will go out in two or three car teams. We will coordinate an area with you that we think will be most effective. If you have friends they can go in your car of course. When you are out of meals you come back.

Cleaners … Every year we ask a small crew to stay behind with some of us and help put the “Echo” back to normal. It’s not that hard because everyone pitches in. But being the most unglamorous job it is very appreciated.

Warmers … We give you a turkey the night before and you bring it “cooked and warm” on the day of. Warmers are really cool.

It is not imperative that you specify your position in advance. Just keep in mind what it is that you want to do when you arrive. It will help us get you right in to the action. Early birds just arrive early.