What began nine years ago as a backyard Thanksgiving dinner for 38 homeless and international students has grown into a massive community effort that will provide free holiday groceries to more than 2,400 Santa Monica College students facing food insecurity.
The Santa Monica College Foundation will host its 9th Annual GIVING THANKS(giving) event Nov. 24-25, transforming the campus into a farmer's market-style distribution where students can select fresh produce, grains, pantry staples and protein for their holiday meals.
According to Dr. Lizzy Moore, president of the SMC Foundation, the event began with a simple act of compassion nine years ago when she and her colleague, Associate Dean of Student Instructional Support Wendi DeMorst, recognized that many students had nowhere to go for the holidays, particularly those who were homeless or international students far from home.
The event addresses a critical need at the college, where 67% of SMC's 26,000 students come from low-income households and more than half are the first in their families to attend college. The timing is particularly urgent this year, as the college's food pantry has experienced a 20% increase in daily visits and students face an impending freeze on CalFresh benefit distribution.
"This year, the offerings are particularly heartfelt due to the government shutdown and the impact on CalFresh benefits, which approximately 16,000 of our students and their families rely on," Moore said.
The foundation has set a fundraising goal of $250,000 to sustain GIVING THANKS(giving) and year-round basic needs programs that provide free groceries, hygiene products, baby supplies and emergency grants to help students stay enrolled.
What started as an intimate gathering has evolved dramatically over the years. Moore and DeMorst initially hosted students at Moore's home from 2017 to 2019, with attendance doubling and then tripling each year. When COVID-19 struck in 2020, the event pivoted to a drive-through distribution model before transforming into its current farmer's market format.
"What began as a backyard gathering for 38 students has grown into a large-scale communitywide effort, last year serving 2,400 students," Moore said.
The event now mobilizes hundreds of volunteers from across the Santa Monica community, including students, faculty, staff and local residents who pack grocery bags, distribute food and provide support. This year, organizers have added a winter coat drive with a goal of collecting 1,200 gently used adult-size coats and jackets for students.
The coat distribution takes place at SMC's Bodega Rack, part of the college's year-round food pantry known as the Bodega. A dedicated team of volunteers called "The Bodega Rack-Pack" curates the clothing collection throughout the year to support on-campus distribution.
Students learn about GIVING THANKS(giving) through multiple outreach channels, including social media, visits to the campus food pantry, counselors and the Associated Students government. After nine years, the event has become a trusted and anticipated resource on campus.
"The feedback from students is overwhelmingly relief knowing that GIVING THANKS(giving) is a reliable resource, reducing the stress during the holidays and allowing students to focus on their studies," Moore said. "For some, it's the first time they've been able to prepare a full holiday meal on their own or share it with friends and family."
Students describe the impact as extending beyond food assistance. "Year after year, students express that this event is more than a food giveaway—it's about feeling seen, supported, and part of a community that believes in them," Moore said.
GIVING THANKS(giving) is part of SMC's comprehensive Basic Needs Program, which operates year-round to address food insecurity and other challenges that can derail students' academic progress.
Community members can support the effort through financial donations, volunteering or donating winter coats. Volunteers can sign up for shifts online, and financial contributions can be made at foundation.smc.edu/thanksgiving. For more information about donating or volunteering, contact Katie Moe, development director, at (310) 434-8583 or moe_katherine@smc.edu.