UPDATE: Operation Gobble Gobble 2025 is primed to provide essential Thanksgiving meals to 5,000 families this Saturday, November 25, 2025, at the Solano County Fairgrounds. The event, hosted by Food is Free Bay Area and Assemblymember Lori Wilson, promises to distribute 2,500 turkeys and 2,500 boxes of Thanksgiving food from noon to 2 p.m. or as supplies last.
Families in need are urged to arrive early, as the drive-through distribution is expected to draw large crowds. Residents will enter via the Redwood Avenue exit and follow Fairgrounds Drive through the main gates. “Bring your patience,” said Heather Pierini, Executive Director of Food is Free. “There will be a line.”
The urgency of this event cannot be overstated. With rising food insecurity impacting local families, this initiative aims to alleviate some of the pressures faced by the community. Volunteers have already packed 2,500 boxes, filled with staples like stuffing, pasta, gravy, corn, and mashed potatoes, to ensure families receive a complete Thanksgiving meal.
“As we approach the holiday season, we’re seeing an unprecedented demand for food assistance,” Pierini noted. During the recent government shutdown, attendance at regular food distributions surged, reaching a staggering 673 families in one day, a significant increase from the usual 400-450 families served.
Pierini emphasized that the need is still critical, with numbers remaining high even after the shutdown’s conclusion. Current distributions show 668 families seeking help, maintaining about 150 percent of the standard demand. “People are really hurting, and they are worried,” she added.
The operation has significant backing, as Assemblymember Lori Wilson has sponsored the event for four consecutive years. Last year, despite challenges posed by avian flu, the initiative still managed to provide chickens to families. “Through the help of Lori Wilson, we have been able to assist thousands of families with holiday food,” Pierini stated.
Volunteers from various civic groups and children’s organizations in Solano County will be on hand to assist with both packing and distribution. This collaborative effort highlights the community’s commitment to supporting its most vulnerable members.
Pierini also addressed the ongoing challenges faced by organizations like Food is Free, noting that they often step in where government support falls short. “We cannot replace the job of a government, and we cannot replace a program like SNAP,” she remarked, urging local leaders to ensure proper funding for emergency support to nonprofits.
The emotional impact of this event is profound, as families in need prepare for the holiday season. With many struggling to put food on the table, Operation Gobble Gobble represents a beacon of hope and community solidarity. As the clock ticks down to Saturday, residents are encouraged to share this vital information and support one another.
For those unable to attend on foot or via bus, arrangements will be made to accommodate all attendees. “We have a lot going on, a lot of moving pieces,” Pierini concluded, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and support.
Stay tuned as the situation develops and make sure to share this urgent call to action with your networks. Together, we can ensure that no family goes hungry this Thanksgiving.
