L.A. Mission serves up Christmas feast

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los Angeles Mission is helping to feed the homeless on Christmas Eve.

A lot of folks have been out helping to make a Christmas Eve feast a reality for thousands in downtown Los Angeles.

Hundreds of people, many of them homeless, underprivileged families, men, women, and children are taking part in the meal, all provided for them by the downtown Los Angeles Mission. The L.A. Mission believes it's all about giving back this time of year.

It's the annual Christmas event for unprivileged families at the Los Angeles Mission. Men, women and children get a chance to sit together, eat together, and be part of the holiday spirit. For the Mission it's a day to give.

The menu includes glazed ham, roasted chicken and the mission's famous three-cheese macaroni.

Volunteers are on hand, including stars like Jennifer Love Hewitt, all of them serving those less fortunate then themselves. For those who struggle day to day on the street, this event is a time to receive.

"Today's just a special day because all the offerings they have, for all the facilities they have open, it's just different," said Joseph Ramirez, eating at the mission.

"I mean, it's all about giving back, and I think what I realize as I get older is that Christmas really when you're a kid it is, of course, about presents and it's about Santa Claus and everything, but the gift of knowing that you've touched one of your fellow man and that you've, you know, given something to them is amazing," said Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt. "And I think the greatest thing about our jobs is we're given, because we're on television or because we do those things, we're given the opportunity to speak out about things that we're really passionate about."

Hewitt is hosting the event at the L.A. Mission this year. She is accompanied by her fiancé. She's participating in events put on by the L.A. Mission for several years.

Children, women, and families are all taking part in the hearty meal on Christmas Eve, perhaps this is what it's all about. The mission said it expects to serve about 3,000 meals and give out more than 1,000 gifts to children.

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