Pasadena Jaycees and Friends In Deed Join Forces to Serve Thanksgiving Meals to Local Families in Need

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, the Pasadena Jaycees are gearing up for their 39th annual Thanksgiving food drive  in partnership with Friends In Deed, a local organization dedicated to supporting those facing poverty and homelessness in the Pasadena community.

The food drive, code-named ‘Operation Gobbler,’ has become a 30-year tradition with Friends in Deed’s Food Bank and Women’s Shelter. This year, the Jaycees and Friends in Deed aim to provide 325 local families in need with everything they need for a delicious Thanksgiving feast and to ensure that no one goes without a traditional Thanksgiving meal. 

To make this happen, they are currently seeking monetary donations that will go towards purchasing turkeys, pies, bread rolls, and all the fixings that make the holiday special.

Families who would like to benefit from this generous initiative must register in advance through Friends In Deed. Registration is open from Oct. 24 to Nov. 2.. It’s essential for participating families to be members of the Food Pantry community at Friends In Deed.

Operation Gobbler Thanksgiving meals will be distributed on Sunday, Nov. 19, at Friends In Deed’s location, 444 E. Washington Blvd. in Pasadena.

“This is my first year being a part of Operation Gobbler and we are off to a great start,” Operation Gobbler Chairperson Matt Brunner said. “The Jaycees are looking forward to helping families in need this Thanksgiving and we thank members of the community for supporting this meaningful project.”

With rising inflation and ongoing challenges resulting from the pandemic, the assistance provided by the Jaycees and Friends In Deed is crucial in ensuring that those in need can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

Donations can come in different tiers: a $30 “No Small Sweet Potatoes” donation supports one family, a $120 “Pumpkin Pie in the Sky” donation supports four families, and a $300 “Big Turkey” donation supports 10 families. 

Contributions can be made via Venmo (@Jaycee-Treasurer), PayPal (paypal.me/pasadenajaycees), or by check written out to Pasadena Jaycees, 474 W. Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91103. 

For more details and information on how to donate, visit www.pasadenajaycees.org/opgobbler.