LOS ANGELES — Kirk Douglas, Harrison Ford and other celebrities shared the Thanksgiving spirit Wednesday by serving hot meals to homeless people on Skid Row.

Wearing red aprons and plastic gloves, they stood alongside volunteers at the annual feast at downtown's Los Angeles Mission, doling out turkey drumsticks, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, vegetables and pumpkin pie.

Actresses Nia Long and Calista Flockhart and "The Hills" reality TV star Spencer Pratt were among others passing out almost 3,000 plates of food to lines of men, women and children.

"It's very grounding," said Long, who dished out vegetables and rolls with her 7-year-old son. "I feel grateful for all the things I have."

A house band pounded out music as people sipped on bright green and orange punch at rows of tables outside.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who said he has volunteered at the event for nearly a decade, said he cleaned the feet of some of the homeless.

"He washed my feet, and it was so special," Skid Row resident Yasmine Villalobos said. "I will remember it forever."

The air of festivity sparkled in contrast to the harshness of Skid Row, where hunger is the norm and sleeping bags dot the sidewalks.

Douglas, who helped develop the mission's Anne Douglas Center for Women, noted the event's affect on celebrities.

"Their involvement will help their souls as much as it helps the guests being served," he said in a mission press release.