Operation Gobbler Expands Reach to Serve 400 Families Amid Rising Food Insecurity

The Pasadena Jaycees, a group of young professionals aged 21-40, and Friends in Deed are mounting their most ambitious holiday food drive in their 12-year partnership.

Weekly visits to Friends in Deed’s food pantry have increased by 75 households compared to 2023, according to Tim Nistler, the organization’s Food Pantry Program Director.

“We are seeing about 75 more households per week in 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023. That means more people are needing our services than were using it last year,” Nistler said.

The expanded Operation Gobbler program, now in its 37th year, will distribute complete Thanksgiving meal kits on Sunday, Nov. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 444 E. Washington Blvd. in Pasadena.

Despite the increased demand, Nistler remains confident about meeting community needs.

“We haven’t had a year yet when we couldn’t give a turkey to all those that got registered and I expect this year to be no different,” he said.

Each family receives a comprehensive meal package including a turkey and traditional fixings, according to Jade Chen, Operation Gobbler Chair for the Pasadena Jaycees.

“When I first heard it was a Thanksgiving food drive, I pictured serving one plate of food to each person,” Chen said. “I was delighted to find out each family is receiving a Thanksgiving ‘kit’ which includes a whole turkey and traditional fixings to make a Thanksgiving meal.”

“This project is unique because it allows families to continue their traditions – whether their traditions include family recipes or annual activities, Op Gobbler allows families to enjoy Thanksgiving at home, gathered around their own dinner tables,” Chen added.

The program, supported by food drives at local grocery stores, offers multiple donation tiers ranging from $30 to $5,000, with the Jaycees providing the majority of turkeys.

“Due to inflation and rising costs, more families are in need this year… there are no small donations, even a $30 donation will feed one family,” Chen noted.

Donors can contribute through PayPal (paypal.me/pasadenajaycees), Venmo (@jaycee-treasurer), or by check to The Pasadena Jaycees Foundation at 474 W. Walnut St., Pasadena, CA, 91103.

The program’s expansion builds upon last year’s success, when the organizations served 326 families through partnerships with local businesses and support from Vroman’s Bookstore’s “Christmas for the Kids” program.

Families can register through https://pasadenajaycees.org/what-we-do/community-service/operation-gobbler/, while businesses interested in supporting the initiative can join through ongoing canvassing efforts.