LA Mission provides holiday feast, toys to families in need

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Volunteers at the Los Angeles Mission gave away gourmet holiday meals and toys to families in need on Friday.

Thousands of people lined up at the L.A. Mission, creating a line that stretched for several blocks.

Volunteers served up delicious meals for those in need. One of the celebrity chefs who helped prepare the food was Ben Ford, the son of actor Harrison Ford.

The L.A. Mission also handed out clothing and thousands of toys to children in need.

"It's particularly important to us to have the children transported off Skid Row for a few minutes to our toy tent," said Herb Smith with the L.A. Mission. "Just to really let them know that homelessness is not a permanent condition. It's a temporary condition, and with education and the right job skills, they won't have to experience this when they're adults."

Event officials said the demand grows every year - and this year, the L.A. Mission expects to serve 4,000 people.

The meals and presents are expected to be distributed until 3 p.m. Friday.

L.A. Mission officials emphasized that this event would not be possible without donations and the help of hundreds of volunteers.

The L.A. Mission has been holding this event since 1992.