MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION (November 19, 2025) – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians gave away 15,000 free turkeys this week to non-profit groups, churches and charities across Southern California as part of its 39th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach program.
The turkeys donated this year will provide nearly 300,000 holiday meals to families, seniors and veterans in need from the Coachella Valley to Los Angeles. Over the course of the program’s history, Morongo has contributed almost 230,000 turkeys, which have helped provide nearly 4.5 million holiday meals.
“The roots of Morongo’s Thanksgiving Outreach program stretch back decades to a time when our tribe sought to help others even as we struggled in the face of adversity,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “This year, we continue to honor our Tribe’s legacy of giving to others by providing tens of thousands of holiday meals to those who are struggling across the region.”
Tribal members and volunteers gathered at the Morongo Community Center for two days starting on Nov. 17 to distribute the 15,000 Thanksgiving turkeys to 122 nonprofit organizations, including food pantries, churches, senior centers, schools and veteran groups from across Southern California. Groups receiving turkeys hailed from Banning, Beaumont, Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Temecula, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, Redlands, Los Angeles, and other communities.
The groups will use the turkeys to provide hot holiday meals to those in need or will distribute the birds in holiday meal gift baskets with additional side dishes to help feed thousands of people who otherwise would not have been able to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner this year.
Ecclesia Christian Fellowship in San Bernardino plans to use the 200 Thanksgiving turkeys it received from Morongo will help ensure that more families and loved ones can gather for a traditional Thanksgiving meal and experience a moment of comfort and connection.
“In a time when so many families are struggling to make ends meet, this act of generosity from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians means more than words can express,” said Pastor Brian Williams at Ecclesia Christian Fellowship. “These turkeys are a blessing that will help us bring hope and nourishment to families who might otherwise go without this holiday, reminding our community that compassion and unity still make all the difference.”
The Galilee Center received 300 Thanksgiving turkeys from Morongo to assist the nonprofit in its mission of providing food, community resources, and opportunities to the community who are struggling.
“This contribution from Morongo will touch lives across the Coachella Valley, helping us provide nutritious holiday meals to families who need them most,” said Lupe Torres-Hilario, Director of Operations of the Galilee Center in Mecca. “Morongo’s partnership strengthens our mission to serve the most vulnerable in our community with compassion, dignity, and hope
Participating groups submitted applications to the Tribe and were notified over the summer that they had been selected. For organizations interested in receiving turkeys next Thanksgiving, applications for next year are due in Spring 2025. Applications will be available at https://morongonation.org/thanksgiving-outreach