1,200 turkeys passed out ahead of Thanksgiving

Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco and Councilman Horacio Ortiz pass out food at a giveaway event Tuesday at Los Nietos Park in Santa Fe Springs. (Photo by Alex Dominguez)

SANTA FE SPRINGS — Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco, along with a host of community partners, gathered in Santa Fe Springs on Tuesday to help deliver Thanksgiving essentials to local families.

In preparation for this week’s holiday, 1,200 turkeys, along with hams, canned goods, and other Thanksgiving dinner provisions were handed out to families who may have found themselves in need.

“Lots of times, families aren’t able to afford turkeys and all the different fix-ins for their Thanksgiving,” said Pacheco. “The cost of living has increased, and so this has become even more important right now because it’s too expensive.

“I wanted to give back to the community, give back to the residents here in the Assembly District, so I could at least help them during the holidays.

The event was held at Los Nietos Park in Santa Fe Springs. Although Pacheco’s team targeted her Assembly district, the event was open to all and turkeys were given out on a first come, first serve basis.

Downey Mayor Pro Tem Hector Sosa, who attended the event along with Councilmember Horacio Ortiz, expressed gratitude to the Assemblywoman for the event.

“This is a great day,” said Sosa. “I don’t know what the count is, but we have a ton of turkeys and hams here, so this is going to benefit the community; this is a great thing.”