Obama family serves Thanksgiving dinner to homeless and vets

By Allie Malloy, CNN
Updated 8:31 AM EST, Fri November 27, 2015
predient obama serving thanksgiving dinner vo_00004809.jpg
President Obama serves Thanksgiving dinner
00:52 - Source: CNN

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President Obama and the First Family served dinner at a homeless center in Washington, D.C.

Obama was in charge of serving turkey and gravy to the veterans and other homeless people

Washington CNN  — 

President Barack Obama, joined by the entire first family, on Wednesday began the Thanksgiving holiday by serving dinner to the local homeless population and veterans at Friendship Place Homeless Center in Washington.

obama family thanksgiving serves
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

Earlier in the day, while taking part in the traditional turkey pardon, Obama said that he and the first family would “take some of the less fortunate turkey brothers” with them to serve up for dinner for homeless and at-risk veterans.

“It’s not only of the spirit of giving during this holiday season, but our national obligation to make sure all those who serve and sacrifice for our country have a place to call home,” Obama said from the Rose Garden. “My administration considers this one of our top priorities, making sure that we’re bringing about the reality of zero homelessness for our veterans.”

President Donald Trump is joined by his wife, Melania, as he pardons Butter the turkey on Tuesday, November 26.
President Donald Trump is joined by his wife, Melania, as he pardons Butter the turkey on Tuesday, November 26.
Evan Vucci/AP
Trump pardons Peas the turkey in 2018. Peas and another turkey, Carrots, were sent to a Virginia farm to spend the rest of their lives.
Trump pardons Peas the turkey in 2018. Peas and another turkey, Carrots, were sent to a Virginia farm to spend the rest of their lives.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Reporters gets a sneak peek at Wishbone, who was pardoned in 2017.
Reporters gets a sneak peek at Wishbone, who was pardoned in 2017.
Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama, with his nephews Aaron and Austin Robinson, pardons Tot the turkey in 2016.
President Barack Obama, with his nephews Aaron and Austin Robinson, pardons Tot the turkey in 2016.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Obama and his daughters, Sasha and Malia, applaud Cheese, the national Thanksgiving turkey, in 2014.
Obama and his daughters, Sasha and Malia, applaud Cheese, the national Thanksgiving turkey, in 2014.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
Obama gestures while pardoning a turkey in 2012.
Obama gestures while pardoning a turkey in 2012.
JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
Malia Obama pets Liberty the turkey in 2011.
Malia Obama pets Liberty the turkey in 2011.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
President George W. Bush stands with members of the Hill family, who raised Pumpkin the turkey, during Pumpkin's pardoning ceremony in 2008.
President George W. Bush stands with members of the Hill family, who raised Pumpkin the turkey, during Pumpkin's pardoning ceremony in 2008.
TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images
Bush pets May the turkey in 2007.
Bush pets May the turkey in 2007.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
Bush pardons Biscuits in 2004. Biscuits and his alternate, Gravy, went on to a petting zoo in Virginia.
Bush pardons Biscuits in 2004. Biscuits and his alternate, Gravy, went on to a petting zoo in Virginia.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
President George H.W. Bush participates in the traditional pardoning in 1990.
President George H.W. Bush participates in the traditional pardoning in 1990.
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
The National Thanksgiving Turkey flaps its wings, startling President Ronald Reagan and other guests during the 1987 pardoning ceremony.
The National Thanksgiving Turkey flaps its wings, startling President Ronald Reagan and other guests during the 1987 pardoning ceremony.
Reagan Library
Reagan admires a turkey in 1982.
Reagan admires a turkey in 1982.
Reagan Library
First lady Rosalynn Carter and her daughter, Amy, pardoned the National Thanksgiving Turkey in 1978.
First lady Rosalynn Carter and her daughter, Amy, pardoned the National Thanksgiving Turkey in 1978.
Jimmy Carter Library's Carter White House Photographs Collection
President Gerald R. Ford is presented with the National Thanksgiving Turkey in 1975. The turkey was presented by Marvin DeWitt of Zeeland, Michigan. According to the White House memo, it was the first time that the president, the turkey and the presenter were all from the same state.
President Gerald R. Ford is presented with the National Thanksgiving Turkey in 1975. The turkey was presented by Marvin DeWitt of Zeeland, Michigan. According to the White House memo, it was the first time that the president, the turkey and the presenter were all from the same state.
Ford Presidential Library
US presidents pardoning turkeys

Obama was in charge of serving turkey and gravy to the veterans and other homeless people, while first lady Michelle Obama served up vegetables. Daughters Sasha and Malia gave out other holiday favorites including mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberries.

Friendship Place Homeless Center received a $3.1 million dollar grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2015 for veteran homelessness capacity-building.

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