November 21 Vallejo/Vacaville Arts and Entertainment Source: Gobble Gobble Giveaway Kicks off the Giving Season in Vallejo

Although the Greater Vallejo Recreation District has hosted its Gobble Gobble Giveaway event in the past, this year 100 families are registered to receive free turkeys and side dishes.

After helping with the event for the first time last year, Event Coordinator Emely Mendez says she feels more prepared this time around.

“Going into it this year I have a little bit more knowledge on what to expect and how to prepare for the event,” she said.

Gobble Gobble Giveaway, set for Nov. 27, the day before Thanksgiving, will be quick-paced and requires a lot of preparation, says Mendez.

“It’s going to be a pick up and go type of event,” she said. “We’ll load up a turkey kit in their trunk, with a turkey and sides for their dinner.”

The event requires families to be registered ahead of time in order to have the correct amount of kits prepared. Mendez says those not registered but in need of a turkey will be put on a waiting list

Last year, 75 families registered for the Gobble Gobble Giveaway. This year that number has increased to 100.

Mendez says local stores are in large part to thank for the food. “They are the ones that have been donating and helping us out a ton,” she said. “They have given us gift cards to purchase the kits and prepare them.”

In addition, there are donation bins set up at each of the GVRD sites, “so that staff and the public can donate to them. We have a bunch of stuffing and mashed potatoes and stuff that gets dropped off at all the different sites that we have,” says Mendez. “Toward the end of this week we will begin prepping the boxes for the turkey kits and having them ready to go for the event.”

Although there is a lot of prep work that goes into the event, Mendez says she does it to help the community.

“I like being able to provide a meal to all these families,” she says. “You know, I know a lot of people are going through a really rough time right now so just being helpful and having these resources available to those who need them makes me really happy.”

It’s not just the Gobble Gobble Giveaway that GVRD is planning this year. This event simply kicks off their season of giving. From their tree lighting in early December with free cocoa to their Breakfast with Santa, which offers a free breakfast and toy, the GVRD has put together quite the array of activities and events for those in need or looking to donate.

If you go …

• WHAT: Gobble Gobble Giveaway
• WHEN: Nov. 27, 4-6:30 p.m.
• WHERE: 395 Amador St., Vallejo.