ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Hundreds of families will have a hearty Thanksgiving meal after Elk Grove Food Bank Services’ annual turkey distribution on Nov. 23.

The rainy weather couldn’t dissuade the staff and volunteers, who directed traffic or carried turkeys and other fixings to cars in the Creekside Christian Church parking lot.

Close to 1,600 individuals had signed up to receive food and the food bank hoped to have more than enough for everyone.

Besides a turkey, each recipient got some onions and boxes filled with stuffing, green beans and other foods.

“Most of them are very, very grateful and thankful for what they’re getting because for many of them, if it wasn’t for what they’re getting here, Thanksgiving would be a very sad or bleak period. So I haven’t seen anybody who’s unhappy. They’re all very grateful for what they’re being provided,” said Suman Singha, chair of the food bank’s board.

Food bank leaders noted that more and more people are facing hunger in Elk Grove, with Singha saying that the nonprofit served slightly more than 9,000 people in the past month. He added that many of those were older adults and children.

“Food insecurity is a major problem in this country, and when you think we’re the richest country in the world, we shouldn’t be facing that,” Singha said. “So we’re hoping that this adds some joy and some happiness to people for the holiday season.”

Community Outreach manager Valerie Erwin said the demand for food assistance has not gone down since the coronavirus pandemic.

“I think all of us from several years all thought that if we could get through COVID, things would get better, kind of go back to normal, and things haven’t gone back to normal,” Erwin said, citing rising prices as a major factor.

One big boost to the food bank’s effort to meet the need at Thanksgiving is a yearly donation of turkeys organized by Gil and Kay Albiani.

For this year’s donation, their fifth, the couple arranged a delivery of 1,000 turkeys, delivered on Nov. 18. Gil Albiani, a real estate agent and Cosumnes Community Services District board member, told the Herald that everybody should have a turkey on the “universally American” holiday of Thanksgiving. Each year, he appeals to his friends, family and business associates for donations.

The responses are always positive and generous, Albiani said.

“Wouldn’t you expect all the people that provide money for turkeys are thrilled to do that? Nobody objects; they’re just really kind,” Albiani said, adding that there’s “no magic to it all. Just ask and you shall receive.”

Located at 9888 Kent St., the food bank is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. It is closed on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Starting Jan. 1, 2025, it will be closed on Saturdays.

For more information about Elk Grove Food Bank Services, visit elkgrovefoodbank.org.