TEMECULA, Calif. – (Nov. 25, 2014) – Just in time for Thanksgiving this Thursday, thousands of the less fortunate in the Inland Empire received a fresh turkey and many non-perishable fixings courtesy of Pechanga and other businesses and community organizations.

Dozens of volunteers from the Temecula resort and other area businesses spent their morning assisting at a Murrieta, Calif. senior center where assisted the efforts of the Calvary Murrieta Care Ministry. Volunteers unloaded, bagged and handed out turkeys and other food items to seniors, church groups and individuals in need this holiday. Pechanga donated 400 turkeys at the November 25 event and will be giving more than 2,175 birds over the course of the holiday season, providing 30,000 meals to those who may not otherwise be able to enjoy a special home cooked dinner.

Seniors and those receiving food also were able to lap up some canine companionship courtesy of the K-9 Komfort Therapy Dogs organization during the donation event. 

“Every little bit helps, and this is quite a lot,” said Eric Wells of the Calvary Murrieta Care Ministry. “As civil unrest and disobedience takes place, this is a place where we can help others and be happy.”

It’s very nice that they recognize our age and we hope that people everywhere who need food get it,” said Murrieta senior community resident John Hanson.

This is the sixth year the Pechanga Development Corporation has provided turkeys for families throughout the Inland Empire.