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# Clippers take ball and run with it at St. Joseph Center
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/clippers-take-ball-and-run-with-it-at-st-joseph-center/
- Published: 2003-12-05T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T03:18:03.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Sports, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Daily Press staff*

The LA Clippers scored big this Thanksgiving, at least in the eyes of needy individuals and families.

Coaches and front office management from the NBA’s Clippers served Thanksgiving dinner to homeless men and women last week at St. Joseph Center’s Bread & Roses Cafe, while players and other staff members surfaced at the administration building to distribute more than 300 turkeys, bags of food and stacks of clothing to families in need.

The Clippers have been distributing meals and groceries through the center for the past 13 years. “These Clipper people are tremendous,” says Maria Alderete, coordinator of volunteers at St. Joseph. “To take the time out of their busy lives to come down here and get involved is an inspiration to all of us.”

Among those serving up heaping plates of turkey with all the trimmings were seven Clippers executives, including Elgin Baylor, vice president of basketball operations, and Christian Howard, vice president of marketing & broadcasting. Among the players handing out turkeys and groceries were Chris Wilcox, Melvin Ely and Bobby Simmons.

“The Los Angeles Clippers’ generosity continues to build a bridge between the caring and the less fortunate,” states Rhonda Meister, SJC executive director.

St. Joseph Center provides emergency services, child care, case management, employment training and senior services for over 8,000 men, women and children each year, with 11 programs and services on eight sites in Venice, Santa Monica and West Los Angeles.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 5, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/120503.pdf?ref=smdp.com)