Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) and Smart & Final hosted the 16th annual Community Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway at Dodger Stadium this past week. A total of 1,500 Thanksgiving meals and an assortment of dinner fixings were distributed via drive-thru to not-for-profit community organizations.
The Dodgers additionally partnered with the offices of Congressmember Jimmy Gomez, California State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, California Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis, Mayor Eric Garcetti, L.A. City Councilmember Gil Cedillo, and L.A. City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell for the turkey giveaway.
Each office selected organizations in its district to benefit and provide the meals to pre-selected families in need.
Turkeys and fixings were also provided to pre-selected students from the Dodgers’ “Community of Schools,” which is a strategic community partnership to improve the education and wellness of children attending local schools (all Title I) and living in communities surrounding Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers, along with @DodgersFdn and @smartfinal hosted the 16th annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway at Dodger Stadium. 1,500 holiday meals were distributed to not-for-profit community organizations for families in need in the Los Angeles area. pic.twitter.com/09ieGqNfnW
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 20, 2020
Beneficiaries of the program included the LADF’s Dodgers RBI participants, community partners and nonprofit grantees monetarily supported by the Dodgers’ foundation that are focused on providing educational resources for low-income and food-insecure youth: Sowing Seeds for Life, Bresee Foundation, Proyecto Pastoral, Boys and Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley and YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.
LADF adjusting to provide during pandemic
Under normal circumstances, Dodgers players would have been present to assist the LADF and Smart & Final, but the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has required change. Through it all the Dodgers’ Foundation has continued serving the community while complying with CDC guidelines.
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation was recognized for their efforts by being named the recipient of Beyond Sport’s 2020 Sport for Reduced Racial Inequalities Collective Impact Award, which is supported by The Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation.
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