Hundreds Attend Annual Carlson Ferbal Thanksgiving Dinner at The Center

Attendees eat at the Carlson Ferber Thanksgiving Dinner. (Leticia Ruiz)

By San Diego Monitor News Staff

By San Diego Monitor News Staff

San Diego — November 28, 2025 — The 2025 Carlson Ferbal Thanksgiving Community Dinner took place yesterday at The San Diego LGBT Community Center in Hillcrest, continuing an annual tradition of offering a free holiday meal to the public. Doors opened at 11 a.m., with dinner served from noon to 3 p.m.

This year’s event featured a traditional Thanksgiving meal, a movie screening during the serving hours, and access to a clothing and toiletries drive. Organizers reported that food availability was higher than in previous years, allowing the Center to accommodate a larger number of attendees.

San Diego Public Advocate Shane Harris and Honorary Mayor of Hillcrest Nicole Murray Ramirez attended the Thanksgiving breakfast portion of the day’s events, joining other elected officials and community leaders who traditionally stop by to greet attendees and volunteers.

The dinner is named for Scott Carlson and Dan Ferbal and traces its roots back to the late 1980s, when Carlson first hosted Thanksgiving meals for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Over time, the gathering expanded and evolved into a broader community event.

The Imperial Court de San Diego began coordinating the dinner in 2004, and the event’s name was updated in 2019 to recognize Ferbal’s long-term support through the Rob Benzon Dan Ferbal Foundation.

In recent years, the Center has noted increased demand for food support services across San Diego. In addition to hosting the Thanksgiving meal, the organization provides neighborhood food bank programs, senior food distributions, and youth food pantries to address ongoing needs in the community.

Participants at Thursday’s dinner included families, seniors, and individuals seeking a place to spend the holiday. Organizers said the goal of the event remains consistent each year: to provide a welcoming environment and access to essential resources during the holiday season.