Giving thanks, giving back: Palomar distributes 500 turkeys

SAN MARCOS – Thanksgiving was a little brighter in hundreds of local households, courtesy of the Palomar Faculty Federation, Council of Classified Employees and Palomar College Foundation, which teamed up with the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council to distribute 500 turkeys.

Alongside the food distribution, several of Palomar's student support programs collaborated to distribute academic supplies to students. These include 500 supply bundles purchased by the Associated Student Government, as well as free diapers for students who preordered them.

The food distribution took place starting at 8 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 21, in Lot 12 at Palomar College. Like numerous previous distributions this year, the event was held in a contactless, drive-thru format to ensure safety.

"We are honored to be able to give back to our community during such trying times," Jack Kahn, interim superintendent and president of Palomar College, said. "In this season of gratitude, we have our Foundation, PFF, CCE and community partners to thank for making this happen."

The turkeys were purchased ahead of the event through a partnership between PFF and the Foundation, which each contributed $3,000, and SDG&E, which donated $4,000, said PFF Co-President Teresa Laughlin.

"There will be Thanksgiving-themed food to go along with it – canned goods, perishables and produce," Laughlin said. "We started these distributions in June, and we've served thousands of families so far. I wish we didn't have to do it – I wish we were out of business, so to speak – but it's been really positive for our community members."

Patti Serafin, who has helped organize the food distributions on behalf of the CCE, said that the effort has brought together volunteers from a variety of local labor organizations besides Palomar's.

"This is our opportunity to stand with unions that are not just educators but iron workers, grocery workers, health care workers, utility unions, to name a few of those who have been showing up," Serafin said. "I think the longer we're in this crisis, the more people are experiencing food insecurity."

"We are always supporting social justice, and this is something we can do for our students during a time when we're so disconnected," Anel Gonzales, president of the CCE, said. "We're getting back to the reason unions exist – to help people and make sure they have food on the table."

Submitted by Palomar College.