BAKERSFIELD,CA--Serving food to the needy. That's how physicians and staff from the Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center spent New Year's Day.
For the past 11 years, the CBCC has given those in need, a positive start for the new year.
"The Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation, CBCC, the staff, the physicians and their families all get together and help out feeding the homeless," said medical director, Dr. Ravi Patel.
The foundation works with the Bethany Homeless Center and the Mission at Kern County to provide a traditional holiday meal for more than 400 people. Guests were transported to the CBCC to enjoy the meal.
"I'm really blessed, it's a wonderful way to start the new year," said Daniel Nakahir.
Not only did each guest receive a meal but the foundation distributed gift bags filled with items to help them through the winter.
"Many of them have to keep on moving because they cannot stay in the homeless shelter all the time. So, one of the problems in the cold weather is that they don't have enough sometimes clothes or gloves or socks," said Dr. Ravi Patel.
The gift bags also included hygiene kits and books for children.
Dr. Ravi Patel says events like these aren't possible without the giving spirits of his staff.
"They all come out and they want to share whatever time they can for others. They are just very kind, generous people."
People who've been served at this event in the past also came back Wednesday morning to return the favor and volunteer to serve the needy.
For the past 11 years, the CBCC has given those in need, a positive start for the new year.
"The Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation, CBCC, the staff, the physicians and their families all get together and help out feeding the homeless," said medical director, Dr. Ravi Patel.
The foundation works with the Bethany Homeless Center and the Mission at Kern County to provide a traditional holiday meal for more than 400 people. Guests were transported to the CBCC to enjoy the meal.
"I'm really blessed, it's a wonderful way to start the new year," said Daniel Nakahir.
Not only did each guest receive a meal but the foundation distributed gift bags filled with items to help them through the winter.
"Many of them have to keep on moving because they cannot stay in the homeless shelter all the time. So, one of the problems in the cold weather is that they don't have enough sometimes clothes or gloves or socks," said Dr. Ravi Patel.
The gift bags also included hygiene kits and books for children.
Dr. Ravi Patel says events like these aren't possible without the giving spirits of his staff.
"They all come out and they want to share whatever time they can for others. They are just very kind, generous people."
People who've been served at this event in the past also came back Wednesday morning to return the favor and volunteer to serve the needy.