Full Plates for 12,000, on the House : Charity: Anaheim restaurateur and 500 volunteers serve up turkey to the poor for eighth year. ‘Someone has to do something like this,’ he says.

Two months ago, Dan Ward lost his job as a mechanic. Two days ago, his 10-month-old son, Aaron, scraped up his face and his wife, Millie, tore knee ligaments in a bicycle accident.

On Thanksgiving, the Ward family needed a little kindness. And they found it at La Casa Garcia, which for the eighth consecutive year gave away free traditional holiday meals.

“The turkey is as good as it would be if it were made at home,” said Millie Ward, 36, standing on crutches. “We really appreciate having a place to bring our family.”

In all, the Anaheim restaurant, supported by 500 volunteers, served more than 12,000 people a hot meal that included turkey, mashed potatoes and a slice of pie. More people than ever feasted at the annual event that also featured bands, singers and magicians.

“Someone has to do something like this, there’s a lot of people who just don’t have a place to go,” said restaurateur Frank Garcia, who gave out meals to 10,000 people last year. “Everyone should have a hot meal in front of them on Thanksgiving.”

Similar scenes were repeated throughout Orange County, as thousands showed up at area shelters, restaurants and churches to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal. From Bluebird Park in Laguna Beach to the Hard Rock Cafe in Newport Beach, many benefited from the spirit of giving.

“It gives you a warm heart to know we are able to reach out with the love of God for those people He has commanded us to help,” said Jim Palmer, executive director of the Orange County Rescue Mission in Santa Ana, which delivered an estimated 19,000 meals to local families.

Organizers of charity meals like Garcia and Palmer say the need for help has risen sharply in past years. For example, Palmer’s group last year handed out just under 4,000 meals.

Event organizers say the larger numbers of needy are due to cuts in government funding and the elimination of social programs. Without the government aid, said Palmer, small nonprofit groups were forced to stop serving their traditional Thanksgiving meal.

“Some groups really just had to draw back and prioritize. They could afford to do something for Christmas but not for Thanksgiving too,” said Scott Mather, director of development for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a church group in Orange that sent out food baskets to 3,000 families this year--about 1,000 more than last year.

Few places in Orange County overshadowed the scene of sharing at La Casa Garcia on Thursday. By 10:30 a.m., a block-long line of people eagerly awaited the restaurant’s opening. By midafternoon, the parking lot was packed with people seated at portable tables savoring a Thanksgiving meal.

“It’s so nice, so nice” of Garcia, said Guadalupe Padillo, 32, who brought her sons Ernesto and Enrique to the event. “I want to return the favor someday.”

In five hours, Garcia and the volunteers dished out 400 turkeys, 150 pounds of turkey breast, 5,000 pounds of potatoes, 500 gallons of gravy and 2,000 pies. In addition to the usual fare, Garcia added a few ethnic twists, including his own special recipe for a turkey stuffing made out of rice, bread and Mexican tortilla chips.

“If everybody--even small-restaurant owners--did something like this,” Garcia said, “there would be no hunger on Thanksgiving.”

Before the event, volunteers were instructed to show respect for the people who needed help.

“The folks we are serving are Frank’s guests and we treat them as such,” said Kevin Draper, 36, a local food broker who supervised the volunteers. “It’s probably the only chance they will get to be waited on this year.”

About half of the 500 volunteers were students from local high schools and colleges.

“You get a good feeling inside when you know you are helping others,” said Lisa Tran, 15, a 10th-grader at Anaheim’s Savanna High School.

For families like the Wards, the meal at Garcia’s restaurant was welcome relief from the harsh realities of their everyday life. But the family, whose home is an Anaheim motel, are nervous about the days ahead.

“It’s going to be tougher at Christmas,” said Dan Ward, 35. “I’m not sure how we are going to make it.”