Bay Area Unleashes Volunteer Spirit

Joy Chen left a San Francisco Bahá’í Faith temple Thanksgiving morning toting a small shopping bag with a rose popping out and a mission to help others.

The 29-year-old attorney was making a special delivery: A Thanksgiving meal along with some of her time.

The delivery fulfilled a mission of Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly, a nonprofit group that provides year-round companionship to the elderly.

“It’s a way to take a moment out of your busy life and have personal connections with people, especially elderly senior citizens,” Chen said.

“That’s what we’re really giving thanks for.”

Chen was among thousands in the Bay Area who lent a helping hand on Thursday.

Volunteers at San Francisco’s Glide Memorial Church served up about 5,000 meals to those in need.

Many others volunteered at the San Francisco and Marin Food Banks, Meals on Wheels and the St. Anthony’s Foundation.

Little Brothers targets a socially isolated elderly population that staffer Seth Augustine said is at risk for developing mental and physical problems that shortens lifespans and degrades the quality of the time the elderly have left.

About 200 Little Brothers volunteers who came from as far as Contra Costa, San Mateo, Sacramento and Marin Counties fanned out from a Valencia Street gathering spot bringing meals and companionship to 192 elderly residents, Augustine said.

“What we’re doing is providing companionship and alleviating that loneliness,” Augustine said.

“That’s improving their quality of life and improving their physical and mental states, so that’s why we think this is important.”