By Sara Beth Williams–
The Sunrise Christian Food Ministry last week handed out at least 1,500 Thanksgiving meals, including 1,000 turkeys and 500 grocery gift cards that would allow families to purchase a turkey
Families were also given multiple Thanksgiving dinner items, including a bag of apples, a bag of potatoes, bags of peppers, and other canned and nonperishable food items. Sunrise Christian Food Ministry director April Jacek said Grocery Outlet donated 250 gift cards toward the effort.
Throughout the week, volunteers from local churches, California Northstate University, and other organizations, gave their time to help pack and distribute food each morning. Jacek said families preregistered for the Thanksgiving meal distribution and were assigned an appointment time from between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Jacek also said the food ministry collaborated with San Juan Unified School District, Single Mom Strong, and other organizations to help provide meals to single-income households.
On a visit Thursday, students who were part of a Service Learning Practicum class from California Northstate University arrived bright and early despite the drizzling conditions to help pack food. Many students said the class and university are regular partners with Sunrise Christian Food Ministry, and students volunteer annually every Thanksgiving season to help distribute food.
Jacek said the university also allowed her team members and volunteers to utilize one of their parking lots to pack large quantities of food into bags during the partial government shutdown and subsequent uncertainty regarding SNAP benefits.
Distribution to families began after 10 a.m., and by 10:30 a.m., dozens of cars could be seen waiting in line to turn into the parking lot of the food pantry.
Sunrise Christian Food Ministry will be closed for the week of Thanksgiving so that its regular volunteers can be with their families, Jacek said.
