Staff, incarcerated help fight hunger

December 3, 2024

Staff and the incarcerated population across California are taking steps to fight hunger in the communities we serve. This story will be updated as more submissions are received.

Parlin Fork camp cooks Thanksgiving for community

Staff and the incarcerated at Parlin Fork Conservation Camp take part in the turkey toss to fight hunger. — Parlin Fork Conservation Camp takes part in the annual Turkey Toss, a food drive benefiting a local food bank.

Staff and the incarcerated population at Parlin Fork Conservation Camp took part in the annual Turkey Toss to fight hunger benefiting the Willits Community Services and Food Bank. According to the Willitts Weekly newspaper, this year’s Thanksgiving community dinner was in danger of being cancelled. Thanks to overwhelming community response, the dinner was saved.

Parlin Fork Conservation Camp, with the help of Chamberlain Creek Conservation Camp, smoked over 500 turkeys for the dinner. They also prepared side dishes.

Other community organizations also stepped up to pay for the turkeys, ham, and trimmings, according to the Willitts Weekly. Read a more in-depth story on their website.

Submitted by Parlin Fork Conservation Camp staff

Avenal prison staff pitches in for Operation Gobble

Avenal State Prison staff prepare to distribute turkeys to the waiting line of cars behind them. — Staff from Avenal pitched in to help distribute 600 turkeys to the community.

CDCR staff distribute turkeys in the community to help fight hunger. — Staff from Avenal pitched in to help distribute 600 turkeys to the community.

Avenal State Prison staff partnered with the City of Avenal and Kings County Supervisor Richard Valle to help make this year’s Operation Gobble a huge success. Several volunteers came together Nov. 26 to distribute over 600 turkeys to local families in need.

Operation Gobble has been an Avenal tradition for 22 years.

“It takes hard work, dedication, and the giving of oneself from many organizations to continue this tradition. It’s the perfect example of what community is all about: neighbors helping neighbors,” said Avenal prison organizers.

Submitted by Lt. A. Schuller

Valley State Prison helps Fairmead community

Valley State Prison (VSP) volunteers were in the community Nov. 25 to help the Fairmead Community & Friends with their annual Thanksgiving meal giveaway.

VSP donated three turkeys, 10 pies, 720 bread rolls, to-go containers and napkins to the organization. Overall, the event provided over 350 meals for those in need in the local community. People who waited all morning for meals were grateful for the help.

The nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents in Fairmead, a small rural community in Madera County. They focus on addressing challenges such as environmental justice, access to clean water, housing, and community development.

All VSP’s donated items were purchased with funds raised through various staff and incarcerated fundraisers.

“Thanksgiving has always been about being grateful for what we have and thankful to those around us. It is also a time where we should be giving back to our community and those in need. This is an event VSP has assisted with for years. We hope to continue giving back to those in our local community,” said VSP Community Resource Manager CheRonn Ford.

Submitted by Lt. A. Salas

SATF distributes food for families in need

A man and woman carry bags of food to give to people for Thanksgiving, helping feed the hungry. — SATF distributed food to families and presented a donation of $5,700.

CDCR staff carry bags of food as they hand it out to families in need. — SATF distributed food to families and presented a donation of $5,700.

During Operation Gobble, staff from the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran (SATF) distributed food to families in need. The warden and members of management also presented a check to Operation Gobble for $5,700.

Submitted by Jennifer Thong, acting staff services analyst
Division of Adult Institutions

See more community involvement stories.

Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.