SERVING UP KINDNESS TO HOMELESS; COUPLES VOLUNTEER TO HOST MEAL IN SIMI.Byline: Sonia Giordani Daily News Staff Writer Jalal Banki recalls the first time he celebrated Thanksgiving dinner The centerpiece of contemporary Thanksgiving in the United States is a large meal, starring a large roasted turkey. All of the dishes in the traditional American version of Thanksgiving Dinner are made from foods native to North America, according to tradition the Pilgrims received these 38 years ago. He was a student far away from his home in Iran and an American family “Loud Family” redirects here. For the rock band, see The Loud Family (band). Considered television's first reality show, An American Family was shot documentary style in 1971 and first aired in the United States on PBS in early 1973. had invited him to share the traditional holiday feast day with them. ``It was so wonderful and generous. Ever since, my family has celebrated this American holiday with our friends,'' said Banki, who has since emigrated and settled in Westlake Village. ``This country has been very good to me, my wife and my two kids. This year, I decided I wanted to say thank you to America,'' said Banki, who spent Thursday afternoon dishing out generous portions of food to the homeless at the Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. Samaritan Center. During the past several months, Banki enlisted en·list·ed adj. Of, relating to, or being a member of a military rank below a commissioned officer or warrant officer. enlisted Adjective the help of his wife, Pary, and their close friends Jim and Gitoo Karimi in planning a feast to feed those in need Thanksgiving Day. ``We just want to take a day to help people. We feel it is something we owe to this country. We see a lot of smiles today,'' said Gitoo Karimi, who was in charge of passing out warm rolls with her husband, Jim, and her son, Raumin. By noon, dozens of the area's homeless had gathered at tables with elegant candles and autumnal centerpieces to lunch on the traditional fare of turkey, cranberries, mashed potatoes n. pl. 1. Potatoes which have been boiled and mashed to a pulpy consistency, usu. with sparing addition of milk, salt, butter, or other flavoring. It is a popular accompaniment to a meat course [U.S., 1900's], providing bulk and calories to a meal. and pumpkin pie pumpkin pie traditional dish, especially at Thanksgiving. [Am. Culture: Flexner, 68] See : America . ``This holiday is about being thankful for what God gives to us,'' said Susan, a homeless woman who traveled from a shelter in Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. for a hot meal Thursday morning. ``There's a lot to be thankful for, like this center. Without this place, I couldn't keep myself together.'' For the past three years, the Years, The the seven decades of Eleanor Pargiter’s life. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 1109] See : Time Samaritan Center has provided showers, clean clothes, a phone message center and other services to more than 50 of the area's homeless each day. On holidays including Thanksgiving, the center tries to secure leftovers from special functions In mathematics, special functions are particular functions such as the trigonometric functions that have useful or attractive properties, and which occur in different applications often enough to warrant a name and attention of their own. held in the area. But this year, the Westlake Village families offered more than even the staff could have hoped. ``We've never had someone volunteer to come on Thanksgiving Day and cook a whole meal for us,'' said Dianne Hooley, director of the Samaritan Center. Hooley said Banki contacted her earlier this month with the proposal to cook a hot lunch for the center's homeless. All that was left for the center to do was get word out on what time lunch would be served and to coordinate some volunteers to help put the day together, she said. ``A hot meal is so important, especially today after the steady rains,'' said Virginia Nelson, a regular volunteer at the center who helped out Thursday. ``I came by because I just wanted to give some time today to help those who are a little less fortunate,'' she said. CAPTION(S): 3 Photos Photo: (1--Color) Pary Banki and her husband, Jalal, serve mashed potatoes and gravy at the Simi Valley Samaritan Center. (2--Color) Jim and Gitoo Karimi helped their friends the Bankis dish out a hot meal at the Simi Valley homeless center Thanksgiving Day. (3) The Samaritan Center hosted dozens of Simi Valley homeless to a seasonal feast Thursday. Phil McCarten/Daily News |
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