“Operation Gobble Gobble” Provides 500 Turkeys for 500 Tables

500 thankful Pasadena families will enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner this week after the Mayor’s 19th annual “Operation Gobble Gobble” took place Saturday morning in Centennial Square at Pasadena City Hall. The event is a partnership between local community groups and Ralphs/Food 4 Less.

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo told the volunteers and community representatives, “500 families will have a turkey in large part because of all of you doing your part, and Ralph’s doing their part. It’s a tremendous partnership to ensure that our family here in the Pasadena community shares with others.”

Gordo continued, “This year, more than any other year, I have seen a tremendous need and I think we all know why. There is a lot of uncertainty in the air, there’s a lot of stress in the air, and families are hurting.”

The Mayor was joined by dozens of local volunteers, including Ralph’s/Food 4 Less team members, Pasadena Firefighters, and community volunteers, including youth members of the Latino Heritage Parade, as well as students from Marshall and Pasadena High Schools, as they distributed 500 turkeys to representatives from 25 local community service organizations.

“This is the third turkey giveaway we’ve done this week,” Gordo added, “and I can tell that people from every walk of life are feeling this, so it’s important that we take the time to ensure that all of our friends and all of our neighbors have what most of us are very fortunate to have.”

Ralph’s/Food 4 Less also provided families with gift cards to customize their holiday meals.

The City of Pasadena has partnered with Ralph’s/Food 4 Less for 19 years to sponsor the annual distribution of 500 Thanksgiving turkeys to families in need. The 500 turkeys represent 9,000 Thanksgiving meals, said the Mayor’s office.