Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa hosted the city's annual Thanksgiving giveaway Tuesday as similar charity events took place throughout the city, two days ahead of the official holiday.

During the city's 11th annual Thanksgiving dinner, Villaraigosa distributed turkeys and other traditional festival foods to poor and homeless residents, including 600 children and their families, at a local cathedral. Women's basketball star Cheryl Miller also took part in the event.

At Jackson Limousine Service's 22nd annual turkey dinner giveaway, a traditional event having lasted for two decades in South Los Angeles, thousands of people lined up in Hyde Park to get free Thanksgiving meals.

E.J. Jackson, the founder and president of the successful local limousine company, joined his family and other volunteers in handing out turkeys and Thanksgiving trimmings at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

"I really enjoy helping people. God has blessed me tremendously," Jackson told a local television channel. "This is America, so it's given me the opportunity to help people and I love it."

According to news reports, against the backdrop of a sagging economy and soaring unemployment, the crowd this year appeared larger.

It is estimated that more than 10,000 people are expected to receive foods for free at the Jackson Limousine giveaway. The first family in the queue said they had started lining up last Saturday.

Also in downtown Los Angeles, officials from Yellow Cab, City Cab and the United Checker Cab all announced their donation plans, giving out 200 turkeys to various food banks and charity organizations.