South El Monte played a central role in supporting families across the San Gabriel Valley this week as the city partnered with Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem Hilda L. Solis for Operation Gobble Gobble, an annual turkey distribution that has become a major source of holiday relief for local households. The event brought community groups together to help residents facing rising food costs and ongoing economic pressure.
Local Partnership Drives Distribution
The South El Monte partnership was visible throughout the county’s distribution site, where staff and volunteers worked with county teams to load boxes of turkeys into cars and coordinate logistics. Organizers said the site helped reach families that rely on nearby community centers, faith groups, and neighborhood service organizations for meal support during the Thanksgiving season.
Operation Gobble Gobble distributed 3,400 turkeys through two events in East Los Angeles and South El Monte. The program worked with 228 community and faith based organizations that will complete distribution to families with the greatest need. Combined with other holiday events sponsored by Solis, this year’s turkey support reached a total of 5,000 turkeys across the First District.
“Every year, I look forward to hosting this distribution so that some of our most vulnerable families can enjoy a little more comfort and joy during the holidays,” Solis said. She noted that many residents continue to face economic uncertainty and said the distribution reflects her commitment to community care and collaboration.
Community Groups and Direct Support
Local groups from the San Gabriel Valley attended the South El Monte site to pick up turkeys for neighborhood distribution. Representatives said the model helps them reach residents who cannot attend large public events, including older adults, individuals with limited mobility, and families balancing work schedules. Volunteers said the South El Monte location remained steady throughout the day as groups arrived with trucks, vans, and trailers to transport their allocations.
The city’s involvement supported the flow of vehicles, volunteer coordination, and on site communication. South El Monte officials said they view the partnership as part of their ongoing work to strengthen community health while supporting regional efforts to reduce food insecurity.
Public and Private Partners Contribute
This year’s effort drew support from several partners, including the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Northgate Markets, Suburban Water Systems, San Gabriel Valley Water Company, Hyundai, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, and the City of South El Monte. Each partner assisted with sponsorships, staffing, or site operations to move the event forward.
Operation Gobble Gobble, now in its eleventh year, continues to serve as a major holiday program for families in the San Gabriel Valley. South El Monte’s role helped expand access to meal support and strengthened connections between local service groups and countywide partners.
