A flock of fresh turkeys found their way to Upward Bound House after Thanksgiving, thanks to LaRocco’s Pizza’s Paul LaRocco and City Council candidate Göran Eriksson.
Mr. LaRocco had leftover turkeys from a feed-the-hungry event.
He wasn’t sure where to send them until Mr. Eriksson suggested the short-term residential facility on Washington Boulevard that caters to homeless children and their families.
“Culver City reminds me of my old neighborhood in New York,” Mr. LaRocco said.
“It’s like family. Everyone helps everyone. I’m glad we could get the turkeys to people who can use them.”
Mr. Eriksson said Upward Bound House was the perfect organization to receive the donation of the eight 14-pound turkeys.
“The residents of Upward Bound House are working hard to get back on their feet and get off the streets,” he said.
“Not everyone realizes we have homeless children here in Culver City. This is an issue we need to address.
“I want to see our city spend more time focusing on ways to create affordable housing and workforce housing to address this critical need.”
Accepting the donation, Upward Bound program director Karen Acfalle explained that “we prepare hot meals for all of our families every day. They will be excited.”
Upward Bound House purchased the Sun Bay Motel on the west side of Culver City. The Santa Monica-based group converted the motel into an emergency shelter for families with minor children.
Family Shelter provides short-term housing for families in crisis. In addition to secure accommodations, the program features intensive wrap-around case management, counseling, a food program and other stabilization services.