Local Tribe Donates 9,000 Turkeys; Alleviates Donation Shortage

Truckloads of turkey food baskets were ready to be delivered Wednesday morning outside the Morongo Tribal Community Center.

Over 80 volunteers worked the assembly lines.

“When you share blessings, you receives blessings,” said volunteer Franklin Benjamin.

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians donated 9,000 turkeys. It’s good news to more than 65 non-profit groups that weren’t sure whether they would be getting turkeys at all this year.

“We will run out of turkeys. I already know that,” said Betty Walton, president of Love Our Children, Inc. “We’re getting 200 [turkeys] which is a big help, but we are prepared to give out 10-pound chicken [as substitutes].”

Walton says her organization experienced a 30% drop in turkey donations this year. At the same time, nearly 50% more families asked her group for help.

“But, we have the answer to hunger. If we all pull together and provide the food, no one will be hungry,” she said.

This is the third year the tribe gave away 9,000 turkeys. Last year, there were leftovers. But, this year: 5,000 turkeys short.

It meant the tribe had to be more selective in choosing this year’s recipients.

“It was very difficult to figure out where the need was actually at,” said tribal councilmember Elaine Mathews. She said first priority went to groups that were going to prepare and serve the turkeys.