Shhh … Father Joe Will Get Some Shut-eye on Thanksgiving
Village Will Take a Break From Meal Service This Holiday

   SAN DIEGO — Father Joe Carroll will get some much-needed rest on Thanksgiving – sort of. Meal services at St. Vincent de Paul Village will be on a one-day hiatus, due in large part to other seasonal outreach organizations that offer holiday meals to San Diego’s less fortunate.

   Instead, the Village will serve turkey and all of its accompaniments to close to 2,000 family members and single adults on Wednesday, November 26, at meal services at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., at the organization’s 1501 Imperial Avenue location.

   "We made the decision to hold off on meal services on Thanksgiving Day because there are so many other church groups and organizations that provide meals to the homeless," Father Joe says. "We’ll be back the day after Thanksgiving and every other day of the year when all the organizations fold their tents."

   Thanksgiving Day won’t exactly be a day of rest for Father Joe, as he will welcome a projected 2,500 San Diegans to the second annual Thanksgiving Day Run/Walk, slated to begin at 8 a.m. at the corner of 6th and Laurel in Balboa Park. The event raises funds for the more than 1 million meals St. Vincent’s serves throughout the year.

   After the run and a few hours of work in the office, Father Joe will head home and prepare himself a can of chicken noodle soup.
"Most families have a tradition of preparing a turkey, stuffing, gravy and mashed potatoes," Father Joe says. "Over the years, a simple bowl of soup in front of the TV has become my tradition."

   For more information (media only) on tomorrow’s meal services or the San Diego Thanksgiving Day Run/Walk, call (619) 446-2726.

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