Morongo tribe makes annual Thanksgiving donation

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians recently donated more than 15,000 turkeys to non-profit groups, churches and charities throughout Southern California.

The tribe’s 39th annual Thanksgiving Outreach will provide about 300,000 meals to families, seniors and veterans in need, according to a tribal statement.

Tribal members and volunteers gathered at the Morongo Community Center Nov. 17 and Nov. 18, where they distributed the turkeys to food pantries, churches, senior centers, schools and veteran groups.

Inland Empire groups receiving turkeys were from Banning, Beaumont, Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Temecula, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, and Redlands.

“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 in San Bernardino, in the statement. “These turkeys are a blessing that will help us bring hope and nourishment to families who might go without this holiday.”

Since it began, the program has donated about 230,000 turkeys, enough for nearly 4.5 million holiday meals, according to the statement.