UPDATE: Thousands of families in need will receive vital holiday support this Saturday, November 25, 2025, during the annual Operation Gobble Gobble event at the Solano County Fairgrounds. From noon to 2 p.m., volunteers will distribute 2,500 turkeys and 2,500 boxes of Thanksgiving essentials in a drive-through format as supplies last.
New reports confirm that Food is Free Bay Area, alongside Assemblymember Lori Wilson, has mobilized a massive effort to ensure no family goes without a festive meal this holiday season. Volunteers have already packed all food items, which include stuffing, pasta, gravy, corn, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce, ready for distribution.
Heather Pierini, Executive Director of Food is Free, detailed how volunteers packed the food boxes on Wednesday evening, stating, “We have a lot going on, a lot of moving pieces.” She urged attendees to prepare for long lines, saying, “Bring your patience; it will be very busy.”
To streamline the process, residents are advised to enter via the Redwood Avenue exit and proceed up Fairgrounds Drive through the main gates. While primarily a drive-through event, those arriving on foot or by bus will also be accommodated.
Pierini highlighted the organization’s long-standing partnership with Wilson, saying, “Assemblymember Lori Wilson has fundraised and sponsored the Operation Gobble Gobble event now for four years.” In previous years, the organization successfully provided turkeys, despite challenges such as the Avian flu in 2021, which limited them to chickens.
However, the need in the community has surged, particularly following a recent government shutdown that saw attendance at regular food distributions skyrocket. On Tuesday alone, Food is Free reported assisting 668 families, a staggering number compared to the regular turnout of around 400-450 families.
“We are seeing huge increases in families seeking assistance,” Pierini noted. “The highest number we served during the shutdown was 673 families on one day.” The increased demand has persisted, and Pierini emphasized, “People are really hurting and worried.”
As the food distribution event nears, community support remains critical. Pierini urged local leaders to provide adequate funding for nonprofits to manage emergency assistance needs effectively. “If we are asking our nonprofits to do this work, they have to be funded for emergency work,” she asserted.
With the situation developing rapidly, the community is encouraged to participate and share this important initiative. As families prepare for Thanksgiving, Operation Gobble Gobble stands as a beacon of hope and support, ensuring that everyone has access to a festive meal this holiday season.
Prepare to join the effort this Saturday—every hand helps, and every meal counts.
