Los Angeles homeless get star treatment for Thanksgiving

By Stone Martindale Nov 23, 2006, 13:34 GMT

LOS ANGELES - Legendary star Kirk Douglas, who will be 90 in less than a month, joined starry volunteers on Thanksgiving eve to dish up turkey feasts to thousands of homeless people outside the Los Angeles Mission.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was joined by actors Tony Danza, Minnie Driver, Kevin Nealon, Sally Kirkland, Jason Ritter, Judy Tenuta Wednesday to help Douglas and his wife, Anne, deliver holiday cheer to the less fortunate.

"I'm in the position of such fortune in my life, and as far as I can see, it's not very many steps away from being homeless," Driver said as she helped dish out food.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls and pumpkin pie were on the menu for the four-hour 5th Street event that kicked off at 11 a.m. in the heart of downtown's Skid Row. 3,000 + people were expected to be served.

The Los Angeles Mission Community Clinic also provided foot care and medical exams.

"It's a wonderful party," mission president Herbert Smith said.

The Los Angeles Mission is home to the Anne Douglas Center for Women, which was created more than a decade ago. In June, the Douglas' were on hand when 10 computers were donated to the center. City National Bank, Nestle and mission staff contributed to the purchase.

The computers are used by former homeless women for job training.

"It's a pleasure to have them here," Smith said of Kirk and Anne the Douglas. "They have been wonderful supporters of the mission for years.'