Turkeys on tap for food pantry

Two local water companies threw in the fowl a week before Thanksgiving.

At least 55 frozen turkeys were gifted to the Food Pantry in Newhall Tuesday, courtesy of the Valencia Water Co. and the Santa Clarita Water Co..

An additional 170 gobblers are expected to be distributed to the Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club, the Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, the Santa Clarita Valley Pregnancy Center and the Association to Aid Victims of Domestic Violence.

“It’s a way the water companies could get involved in the community and donate to charity,” said Santa Clarita Water Company Vice President John Garon.

“We just think it’s a wonderful way to help out the needy families in the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Robert DiPrimio, president of the Valencia Water Company.

Both water companies purchased the 225 turkeys to participate in the “Operation Gobble,” a state-wide effort set up by the California Water Association to donate 15,000 birds to needy families throughout the state.

“A good percentage of those turkeys are already gone,” said Carmen Mathewson, executive director of the Food Pantry.

The donation helps, she said, as the Food Pantry serves 2,000 people a month about 500 families half of which are children.

For Mathewson, the gift is not uncommon for Santa Clarita businesses and residents.

“The people of Santa Clarita have always been very generous, especially during the holidays” Mathewson said.

Families with children get first go at the gobblers, and whatever is left will be gifted needy adults without children.

One thing is for sure, she said: “Whatever comes in goes out.”

The other four organizations will receive their donations Nov. 25. The Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club will get 25 turkeys. The Samuel Dixon Family Health Center will receive 50, while the Santa Clarita Valley Pregnancy Center are positioned to acquire 35 turkeys. The Association to Aid Victims of Domestic Violence will get 60 turkeys.

The water companies first participating in “Operation Gobble” in 1991. That year, 50 turkeys were donated to the Food Pantry.

The seven-year-old program has fed over 155,000 people statewide.