Beyond the Badge, Community Involvement, Rehabilitation

Staff, incarcerated brighten Thanksgiving holiday

December 1, 2025

CDCR and CCHCS staff and the incarcerated population are making a difference in the community and the institution. Thanks to incarcerated food-sale fundraisers, food drives, and staff volunteers, the Thanksgiving holiday was brightened for many. Meanwhile, families visiting their incarcerated loved ones were also treated to special activities at many institutions.

CCI visiting staff makes Thanksgiving special

A couple at CCI visiting gets their photo taken with a Thanksgiving background.

A child holds his crafted turkey at CCI visiting.

California Correctional Institution (CCI) at Tehachapi visiting staff helped make Thanksgiving special for families seeing their loved ones for the holiday. There were crafts, treats, and photo opportunities.

Submitted by Lt. T. Harrison

CIW helps families of incarcerated

CIW partnered with Sack Lunch Saturdays to provide food for the families of the incarcerated during visiting the weekend before Thanksgiving. — *Thanksgiving visiting photos at CIW and food for the families to prepare a holiday feast.*

This Thanksgiving season, the California Institution for Women (CIW) created a heartwarming atmosphere for its residents. The visiting area offered games, refreshments, and Thanksgiving care packages, generously provided by Sack Lunch Saturdays.

The care packages included essential Thanksgiving staples such as potatoes, canned vegetables, turkey stuffing, gravy, and macaroni and cheese. They also received a gift card to purchase a fresh turkey. These items ensured each recipient could enjoy a complete and traditional holiday meal, fostering a feeling of celebration and comfort.

CIW Thanksgiving visiting offered holiday care packages for the families to take home.

Sack Lunch Saturdays, the nonprofit behind this donation, supports unhoused individuals as well as those living with limited resources. Although rooted in Christian values, the organization embraces and assists all people, regardless of their background or beliefs. Their core mission centers on providing nutritious meals while upholding the principles of dignity, respect, and hope.

By focusing on meeting immediate needs through food and outreach, Sack Lunch Saturdays strives to strengthen communities. The organization actively welcomes collaborations with other like-minded groups to foster positive change.

Through the generosity of Sack Lunch Saturdays, women in the institution were reminded they are valued and supported, especially during the holidays.

Submitted by Associate Warden D. Lewis

CIW staff pitch in for turkey drive

California Institution for Women California Correctional Supervisors Organization delivered turkeys to Mt. Zion church as part of a food drive for the holidays.

The California Correctional Supervisors Organization (CCSO) chapter from the California Institution for Women (CIW) organized a turkey donation drive to support local families in need.

CCSO partnered with Mt. Zion Church in Ontario to assist those families for the holiday season. Donations such as these positively impact our local community, ensuring families have the opportunity to enjoy a warm and meaningful meal this holiday season.

Submitted by Lt. A. Avina

CCWF incarcerated mentors, staff rally behind community

CCWF mentors, assisted by staff, gathered food and voluntary monetary donations to help families facing food insecurity. They are shown with boxes of non-perishable food.

After watching news about the plight of families facing food insecurity, certified mentor Kanoa Harris-Pendang felt compelled to act. As part of the Occupational Mentor Certification Program (OMCP) at Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, she approached Correctional Counselor (CC) III F. Singleton with a proposal to launch a facility-wide food drive to support the community.

“I was motivated to bring this idea for the food drive to our OMCP after watching the morning news,” Harris-Pendang said. “The thought of families, and especially children, going hungry was disturbing. All the OMCP Mentors, including our CC III, custody staff and Ms. Orta were supportive. They immediately pulled together to collect non-perishable food items, hygiene items, and money from the entire population within days.”

A check presentation for $1,100 to Madera County Food Bank. — *CCWF CC III Singleton and Warden De La Cruz presented a check for $1,100, raised by the incarcerated population, to Madera County Food Bank.*

With that spark of compassion and urgency, the OMCP mentors mobilized quickly. From Nov. 7-21, they successfully coordinated a large-scale collection of non-perishable food, hygiene products, and voluntary monetary donations throughout CCWF.

Trust withdrawals benefit community

Trust withdrawals were processed by Angela Orta, an associate governmental program analyst. Together, the population contributed $1,100 to the cause.

OMCP mentor Alanis reflected on the meaning behind the event.

“We were happy to give back to the community in a collaborative effort for all the CCWF population. It was beautiful to see how the population gave so readily and freely during the holidays,” Alanis said. “It was heartwarming to see everyone pull together to support our community in their time of need. While we once took from this community, it was a blessing to even have this opportunity to give back”.

On Nov. 21, CCWF Warden A. De La Cruz and Singleton delivered six boxes of non-perishable food and hygiene items, along with a check for $1,100, to the Madera County Food Bank. The donation directly supports families struggling with limited access to essential resources.

This successful effort was made possible by the dedication of the OMCP mentors and the population at CCWF as well as the support of staff.

Submitted by Lt. M.D. Williams
Written by F. Singleton, correctional counselor III

DAPO Community Reentry Unit helps feed families

Person receiving a Thanksgiving turkey and meal basket from CDCR parole agents. — Supervised person Steven Avila from San Bernardino 2 Parole received a turkey and meal basket from Parole Agent II A. Hernandez and Parole Administrator C. Haidl, California State Reentry Initiative San Bernardino Director of Operations E. Zucco, and CRU Parole Agent III J. Harris.

The Community Reentry Unit (CRU) and Division of Adult Parole Operations districts successfully partnered with community-based organizations to distribute turkeys and holiday-meal baskets to supervised persons across Southern California. This effort ensured justice-impacted individuals could share a traditional Thanksgiving meal with their families.

*Agent O. Ceretti hands a holiday basket to supervised person F. Chirinos from Harbor Parole.*

The initiative uplifted several supervised persons from the San Bernardino, Harbor, South Coast, San Fernando Valley, and Antelope Valley Districts. CRU staff and parole agents worked closely with the California State Reentry Initiative (CSRI) San Bernardino, and the GEO Day Reporting Centers at Harbor and South Coast.

Three parole agents prepare to load boxes of donated food into vehicles to feed needy families. — *Antelope Valley Parole Agents E. Wickliffe, W. McGee, and P. Neal ready to load boxes of food in vehicles.*

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank donated 150 boxes of food to the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley Districts.

Community partners Maria and Willie Macc collaborated with CRU Parole Agent II Specialist Markeisha Brignac, providing each attendee at the two district PACT meetings with a turkey as well.

This collaborative effort highlights the significant benefits of partnerships in supporting successful reentry. The synergy between DAPO and community-based organizations is crucial for addressing the complex challenges individuals face after incarceration, particularly around the holidays when feelings of isolation can be heightened.

Special thanks were extended to the dedicated CRU staff and parole agents from the participating districts who assisted in the delivery of the turkey baskets, making Thanksgiving brighter for many families striving for a fresh start.

Submitted by Parole Agent III Jenness Harris
and Ricky Dela Cruz, Community Partnership Manager

NKSP, Delano police rally for food drive

North Kern State Prison staff and Delano Police Department ready to distribute food to families in need.

NKSP staff distribute food to families in need for Thanksgiving.

The Delano Police Department and North Kern State Prison (NKSP) came together Nov. 25 in a strong show of collaboration and community spirit, partnering to distribute Thanksgiving meal baskets to more than 200 local families. This annual tradition continues to grow in both impact and participation, reflecting the commitment these agencies have toward supporting residents in need.

Throughout the event, Delano Police officers and prison staff worked alongside each other loading meal baskets into vehicles as families drove through the Delano Police Department parking lot. Their teamwork ensured a smooth, efficient, and welcoming experience for everyone who came to receive assistance.

Each year, NKSP and the Delano Police Department dedicate time, energy, and resources to raise funds for this outreach program, helping ensure that families facing hardship can enjoy a warm and complete holiday meal. Their ongoing efforts demonstrate the power of partnership and the importance of giving back during the holiday season.

“North Kern State Prison remains proud to work alongside the Delano Police Department in support of the great community of Delano,” said organizers. “Together, we continue to strengthen community ties and make a positive difference for local families.”

Submitted by Lt. C. Huckleberry

SATF incarcerated, staff help feed families

SATF Warden distributes Thanksgiving meals at Operation Gobble.

Staff from SATF distribute meals in the community during Operation Gobble.

Thanks to the efforts of the incarcerated population and staff at the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran (SATF), hungry families received help. Incarcerated population food sales generated $5,735 to help Operation Gobble throughout Kings County.

The program is run by the Corcoran Emergency Aid organization and provides Thanksgiving meals to residents in the area.

The four cities with pick-up locations were Corcoran, Home Garden, Avenal and Kettleman City.

Kings County District 2 Supervisor Richard Valle helped spearhead the event and assisted with handing out the meals. Families in need received a free turkey. Also, thanks to some last-minute donations, Corcoran residents received a pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes.

Warden Morales, Chief Deputy Warden Jones, and Community Resources Manager J. Bragg joined other SATF staff to brave the cold Nov. 24 to distribute meals in Corcoran and Home Garden.

Submitted by Lt. K. Cade

Valley State Prison serves dinner to 400 Fairmead families

Warden at Valley State Prison distributing food to families in Fairmead, Calif. — *Valley State Prison Warden O’Brian Bailey distributes hot Thanksgiving dinner at Fairmead.*

For more than a decade, Valley State Prison has proudly partnered with Friends of Fairmead to bring comfort, connection, and gratitude to local families through an annual Thanksgiving dinner.

This long-standing tradition reflects the power of collaboration and the deep commitment both organizations share toward uplifting the small Fairmead community.

This year, thanks to generous donations from Savemart in Chowchilla, Rancho San Miguel in Madera and Grocery Outlet in Madera, they were able to provide a full holiday spread for residents.

Valley State Prison volunteer and others dishing out food in Fairmead.

Group photos of Valley State Prison staff and Friends of Fairmead volunteers.

Together, Valley State Prison donated more than 400 dinner rolls, four turkeys, two hams, 18 pies, and 29 cans of cranberry sauce, in addition to spoons, forks, and other essentials. With these contributions, nearly 400 families were served a warm meal.

Friends of Fairmead continues to be a beacon of support and advocacy within the region. Their mission is rooted in creating a healthier, safer, and more resource-rich environment for residents and their families.

The organization works to:

Foster hope and opportunity for all.
Promote a safe, harmonious, and culturally rich environment that celebrates diversity.
Improve access to housing, education, libraries, recreation, and local commerce to support everyday needs.
Encourage strong community leadership to ensure a better quality of life for current and future generations.

Each year, Valley State Prison and Friends of Fairmead ensures this Thanksgiving dinner reaches those who need it most by spreading the word through flyers, text messages, and emails. Their dedication helps ensure that no family is left out.

Submitted by Lt. A. Salas

Wasco State Prison staff volunteer, donate to community

A WSP-RC volunteer delivers a Thanksgiving basket to a man in the community.

WSP-RC staff with a certificate for a turkey they will present to someone in the community.

Wasco State Prison-Reception Center staff took to the streets of Wasco to donate approximately 100 Thanksgiving baskets to the community.

The baskets were filled with all the fixings to make complete Thanksgiving meals for a family. This on-going tradition is made possible each year with staff donating items for a Thanksgiving meal along with staff volunteering their time to create unique and festive baskets to distribute throughout the community.

Staff from various departments personally delivered the baskets and were met by surprise, warm smiles and gratitude.

This annual event is spear-headed by the institution’s Community Resources Manager’s office.

“For decades, the Community Resources Manager’s Office has been proud to uphold our commitment to the Wasco community by giving back and bringing together departments from across Wasco State Prison to assemble and deliver Thanksgiving baskets filled with love. Staff from various areas pitched in—donating food items, packing baskets, and personally delivering them to families in need,” according to the office. “Each basket, complete with a $25 gift card for a turkey or ham, is our way of sharing gratitude and showing that when we come together, we can truly lift our community.”

Submitted by Lt. S. Sanchez

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