Nowruz At The Midnight Mission: 2013 Event Aims To Serve Thousands Of Meals (VIDEO)

Following the success of last year's fundraiser, the Persian community of Los Angeles is banding together again to kick off the beginning of Persian New Year with a party at Midnight Mission, a homeless shelter in LA's Skid Row.

With the help of Southern California Farsi radio station 670 AM KIRN, Tehrangelenos will put on a street celebration, serve a traditional Persian meal and hand out clothes and toys to the shelter's homeless and needy. And because Persian New Year, or Nowruz, is a 13-day celebration, the community will also underwrite Midnight Mission's meal service for 13 days. So far, the event has raised almost $70,000.

Last year, over 140 volunteers served 2,500 meals and distributed 3,000 pieces of clothing, according to the Nowruz fundraising site. Call (213) 553-2330 or visit The Midnight Mission's site to learn more about how to help.

WHAT: Party in Skid Row to welcome the new season and help those in need.
WHEN: Friday, Mar. 15, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
WHERE: The Midnight Mission, 601 S San Pedro St. Los Angeles CA 90014

Check out this Midnight Mission video from last year's Nowruz celebration.