‘A wonderful thing’

-- Jennifer Kho

More than 100 families filed into the parking lot at Rea Elementary

School on Tuesday to pick up their Thanksgiving goodies.

Costa Mesa business leaders had spent the day stuffing boxes with

milk, turkey, canned vegetables, frozen pies, bottled juice, fresh salsa,

paper towels, potatoes, roasting pans, toothbrushes, hygiene kits, dish

towels and lima beans.

“This is a wonderful thing they’re doing,” said Raul Buenrostro, who

received a box of the goods. “It benefits people food-wise, especially

during the holidays, and in the middle of the month when bills are

catching up. It’s not just for the holiday; the food will extend into

next week and that really lightens things up. It’s quite a big help.”

The Costa Mesa nonprofit group Save Our Youth selected 125 families in

need to receive some holiday help from the annual Thanksgiving food drive

conducted by CM900, a 33-member division of the Costa Mesa Chamber of

Commerce. CM900 donated the supplies and collected contributions from a

20 businesses.

“We want to be sure there are 125 families in Costa Mesa that eat

well,” said Gordon Bowley, a CM900 member. “Those families can be helped

and we felt this is a good thing to do for those families.”

Sean O’Connor, president of CM900, said the group has set a goal to

provide food for 200 families next year.