MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION (November 19, 2024) – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians gave away 15,000 free turkeys this week to non-profit groups, churches and charities across the Inland Empire and Southern California as part of its 38th 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 215,000 turkeys, which have helped provide an estimated 4.1 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 ourselves faced adversity,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “This year, we continue 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 three days starting on Nov.18 to distribute the 15,000 Thanksgiving turkeys to 120 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.
The Janet Goeske Foundation in Riverside received 200 turkeys to help feed senior citizens this holiday.
“We are grateful for Morongo’s kind contribution, which truly embodies the spirit of giving and community that brings us all together,” said Janice Peguero, Director of the Janet Goeske Food Pantry. “In addition to offering necessary resources, this support fortifies our goal of helping individuals in need. We will be able to bring together struggling families so they can enjoy the warmth of connection and the joy of the season because of Morongo.”
Pastor Victor Archuleta of Victory Outreach Church in Banning said the 300 turkeys provided by Morongo will help struggling families enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner together.
“Morongo’s generous support has made a remarkable difference in our community, and we are truly grateful,” Archuleta said. “The holiday turkeys we receive from the Tribe not only provide nourishment but also bring joy and warmth to the families we serve, helping to create cherished moments during this festive season.”
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