The Pasadena Jaycees and Friends in Deed Work to Provide Thanksgiving Meals for Local Families

With the goal of giving 300 families in need a turkey and other Thanksgiving fixings, the Pasadena Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) is holding its annual Operation Gobbler funds and food drive. This marks the 34th year of making Thanksgiving meals possible for Pasadena area families.

In partnership with Friends in Deed, whose mission includes reducing poverty and homelessness in the Pasadena area, the Jaycees, a volunteer and leadership training organization, are currently seeking monetary donations to provide these meals for families in need throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Turkeys, pies, and rolls will all be distributed on Sunday, November 21 at Friends in Deed (44 E. Washington Blvd.). Families must sign up with Friends in Deed in advance to receive a meal.

“A few years ago I was fortunate enough to work the front lines at Operation Gobbler, passing out food to families who benefited from the project,” says Pasadena Jaycees member, Hayley Olmsted. “Seeing the joy and gratitude from everyone as we give them the ingredients to celebrate the holiday is an unbelievably rewarding experience.”

To make this all possible, support is needed from the community. 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 ten families. You can donate via PayPal, Venmo or check. More details and donation links are available at pasadenajaycees.org/opgobbler.

The Pasadena Jaycees began in 1929 and have been a volunteer and leadership training organization for people aged 21 to 40 ever since. For more information about joining or about any of the Jaycees’ projects, please visit www.pasadenajaycees.org or email info@pasadenajaycees.org.

Friends in Deed is an interfaith organization that provides supportive services to meet basic human needs, so our homeless and at-risk neighbors can rebuild their lives.