Morongo Tribe Donates Turkeys To Regional Charities For Thanksgiving

BANNING, CA — A Thanksgiving donation drive by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians concluded Wednesday, providing about 15,000 free turkeys to nonprofit groups, churches and food pantries throughout the Inland Empire and neighboring locations.

"The roots of Morongo's Thanksgiving Outreach Program stretch back decades to a time when our tribe sought to help others, even as we ourselves faced adversity," Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin said. "This year, we continue our tribe's legacy of giving ... tens of thousands of holiday meals to those who are struggling across the region."

Tribal members and others participated in the distribution effort, now in its 39th year, gathering at the Morongo Community Center in Banning on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to ship the frozen turkeys to 122 different entities, which will use the birds to prepare and supply tens of thousands of Thanksgiving meals to the homeless, veterans, the indigent and others in need, tribal officials said.

"Groups receiving turkeys hailed from Banning, Beaumont, Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Temecula, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, Redlands, Los Angeles and other communities," according to a tribal statement.

Among the recipients was the Mecca-based Galilee Center, whose volunteers will use 200 donated turkeys to prepare meals for families in need next week.

"This contribution from Morongo will touch lives across the Coachella Valley, helping us provide nutritious holiday meals to families who need them most," Galilee Director of Operations Lupe Torres Hilario said. "Morongo's partnership strengthens our mission to serve the most vulnerable in our community with compassion, dignity and hope."

The tribe begins accepting applications for turkey donations at the beginning of every year. Applications for the 2026 outreach program are available at morongonation.org/thanksgiving-outreach/.

—City News Service