June 23, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

“Give Thanks & Gobble” Lunch Feeds Santa Monica’s Homeless:

Decked out in Santa hats, 250 clients of the Ocean Park Community Center gathered for a holiday feast put together by more than 40 volunteers last Saturday afternoon. The luncheon was the largest event held at OPCC this year, and one teenage girl organized it all: 17-year-old Skye Montgomery, a senior at Westmark High School.

“Give Thanks & Gobble” was Montgomery’s project for the Girl Scout Gold Award, the equivalent of the Boy Scout Eagle Award, in which a girl scout develops a sustainable project.

Montgomery said planning the event began months ago. She logged at least 70 hours of work.

“She took this on all on her own,” said Lynn Mack-Costello, the Service Unit Manager for Westside Girls Scouts troops. “I’ve known her since she was young. It’s been wonderful to see her come into adulthood and put this together.”

Montgomery was inspired to take action on hunger and homelessness after seeing many homeless people around the city.

“I felt fortunate for my comfortable lifestyle,” Montgomery said. “I wanted everyone to have an enjoyable holidays.”

Montgomery said she wanted to hold the event with OPCC to generate broader awareness for the organization’s work in the community.

OPCC is the safety net for low-income and homeless youth, adults and families, at-risk youth, battered women and their children, and people living with mental illness in Santa Monica and on the Westside of Los Angeles County, according to OPCC Executive Director John Maceri.

McKinley Williams, OPCC’s Development Director, said OPCC has a 92 percent retention rate for clients who enter into permanent supporting housing, while the national average is 60 percent.

As part of her project, Montgomery set a goal to fundraise $50,000 for OPCC by the end of the year. At least $30,000 has already been committed, Williams said.

Montgomery also said she hoped the event would bring the community together.

As part of her fundraising, she contacted local business for donations. The 99¢ Only Stores donated $999 for gift bags with hygiene products while Sports Authority donated socks and beanies.

The event also gathered together volunteers from many parts of the Westside including Montgomery’s family friends, peers from Marymount and Loyola high schools, and many members of St. Matthew’s church.

Montgomery said the event would be held annually, but she planned to move the date closer to Thanksgiving.

While she intends to organize it for a few more years, Montgomery said she hoped other young people would take responsibility for “Give Thanks and Gobble” in the future.

“It will always be at OPCC,” she said. “Unless a bigger venue is required.”

Christine, who withheld her last name to maintain her privacy, first experienced homelessness at age five.

She said she was proud of Montgomery for creating the event.

“It’s nice to see young girls do something for the community,” Christine said. “Maybe she can change her generation.”

Saturday’s menu consisted of roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, yams and sweet potato casserole, bread and butter, and apple and pumpkin pie.

in News
<>Related Posts

Sculptor-Designed Marina Del Rey Beach Home Hits Market for Nearly $10M

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

The four-bedroom, six-bathroom residence, known as Shore House, features black glass windows across two wings A 6,603-square-foot beachfront home, designed...

Downtown Santa Monica Landmark Faces Uncertainty as Loan Misses Maturity Deadline

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

$26.7M Santa Monica Office Loan Moves to Special Servicing Amid Cash Flow Shortfall Morningstar Credit reported that the loan tied...

Santa Monica to Begin AI-Powered Bus Lane Enforcement in July

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

The program follows a 45-day pilot conducted earlier this year along Lincoln Boulevard, where 511 potential violations were identified, though...

A.O.C. Brentwood to Close After 16 Years on San Vicente Boulevard

June 22, 2025

June 22, 2025

Chef Goin and Styne Cite Unsustainably High Rent in Decision to Close  A.O.C. Brentwood, the acclaimed Westside outpost from James...

Malibu Traffic Delays Expected: REPORT

June 21, 2025

June 21, 2025

The warning applies to the first weekend of summer Transportation officials are warning travelers on the Pacific Coast Highway through...

Strongman to Pull 34,680-Pound Bus at Santa Monica Pier

June 21, 2025

June 21, 2025

Licis, also the 2022 “Arnold Strongman Classic” champion, will undertake the feat to showcase his strength  Strongman Martins Licis, the...

All Aboard to LAX: Metro Opens Game-Changing Transit Hub Ahead of Global Events

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

 New LAX/Metro Transit Center Comes Closer to Connecting Metro Directly to LAX The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)...

New Leadership at Samohi: Jane Han Named House Principal

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Equity-Focused Educator Joins Samohi Leadership Team By Diana Bouchaaya, SMMUSD Communications Specialist The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board...

Food Fight on the Venice Boardwalk: Chefs Stand Up for Immigrants with Food

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Turk’s Pizza Party Rallies Top Local Eateries for an Immigrant Rights Fundraiser In a bold display of culinary activism, Turk’s...

Weekend Lane Closures on PCH in Malibu Could Snarl Summer Beach Traffic

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Army Corps Work Triggers Weekend Closure on Pacific Coast Highway Motorists traveling along Pacific Coast Highway this weekend should prepare...

SMC Gallery to Showcase Faculty Art in Virtual Exhibition

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

The online event will feature works by seven Emeritus faculty artists. The Santa Monica College Emeritus Art Gallery will host...

(Video) Where great minds grow at The Willows Community School

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

The Willows, a DK-8 co-educational school, enrolls 474 students from 57+ zip codes annually. As a balanced, progressive educational leader, experiential learning,...

Film Review: The Life of Chuck

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

FILM REVIEWTHE LIFE OF CHUCKRated R110 MinutesReleased June 6th A  heartfelt movie of lie, love, friendship and loss, delivered in...

THIS WEEKEND: Five Outdoor Concerts for Make Music Day Comes to Santa Monica

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

The global event, inspired by France’s Fête de la Musique, unites communities through music and is observed in over 800...

(Video) The Guest List Collab Dinner with Chef Raphael Lunetta and Chef Alan Wong

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

Held at Marelle Restaurant at The Sandbourne Hotel in Santa Monica. An Incredible mix of Hawaiian and Santa Monica’s flavors...