Stars serve needy at LA Mission Thanksgiving

LOS ANGELES — Kevin Hart, Pharrell Williams, Nick Cannon and Minnie Driver are among the celebrities expected to pick up ladles and spatulas Wednesday to help serve Thanksgiving meals to thousands of homeless and needy individuals and families at the Los Angeles Mission.

The Thanksgiving meal is an annual tradition on LA’s Skid Row, featuring not just food, but providing attendees with blankets, hygiene kits, socks and even foot-washing. More than 3,000 people are fed every year.

Chef Michael Voltaggio, a winner of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” will be preparing the meals, beginning at 4:30 a.m. in the mission’s kitchen. The day will begin with an early morning breakfast service to people staying at the mission.

A short time later, Fifth Street will be closed in front of the mission so it can be transformed into an outdoor dining room. Service of the Thanksgiving meals is set to begin at 11 a.m.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is also expected to help serve meals, along with celebrities such as Deidre Hall, Garcelle Beauvais, Donna D’Ericco, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Loni Love, Jonathan Sadowski and Kate Linder.