UPDATE: Thousands of families in need will receive crucial holiday support at Operation Gobble Gobble 2025 this Saturday, November 25, 2025, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Solano County Fairgrounds. Hosted by Food is Free Bay Area and Assemblymember Lori Wilson, this urgent event aims to distribute 2,500 turkeys along with 2,500 boxes of Thanksgiving food in a drive-through format while supplies last.
Local volunteers have been tirelessly preparing for this significant day. On Wednesday evening, they packed 2,500 cardboard boxes filled with essential Thanksgiving staples like stuffing, gravy, corn, and mashed potatoes. The Executive Director of Food is Free, Heather Pierini, expressed immense gratitude for the outpouring of community support. “We have just a lot going on, a lot of moving pieces and a lot of organizations from the community coming out to help,” she said.
Pierini confirmed that all 2,500 turkeys were procured from Smart and Final’s nonprofit arm, filling an entire semi-truck. To ensure a smooth distribution process, attendees are advised to enter from the Redwood Avenue exit and proceed up Fairgrounds Drive through the main gates. “Bring your patience,” Pierini cautioned. “It will be very busy, there will be a line.”
This year marks the fourth time Assemblymember Wilson has sponsored this vital community initiative, which has helped thousands of families over the years. Despite challenges like the Avian flu in previous years, the event continues to adapt and serve those in need.
The urgency of these efforts is underscored by the recent surge in demand for food assistance in Solano County. During the recent government shutdown, Food Is Free witnessed a staggering increase in attendance at its regular distributions. Pierini noted, “We saw some days where we had 70 new families in a day. The highest number we ever served during the shutdown was 673 families.”
Despite the end of the shutdown and a slight dip in numbers, current attendance remains alarmingly high, with recent figures showing 668 families still relying on food assistance. “People are really hurting, and they are really worried, and so we just want to make sure that we are here for the community right now,” Pierini stated.
As the demand for food assistance grows, Pierini emphasized the need for more robust support systems. “We are a nonprofit organization; we run on bare bones budgets,” she said, stressing that nonprofits cannot replace government programs like SNAP without adequate funding.
Pierini also highlighted ongoing discussions with local leaders about emergency funding for nonprofits in the region. “If we are asking our nonprofits to do this work, they have to be funded for emergency work,” she said, calling on officials to ensure that community organizations can continue to meet the pressing needs of residents.
With Operation Gobble Gobble 2025 just hours away, the community is rallying together to make this event a success. Those interested in attending should prepare for a busy day filled with hope and support for families in need this holiday season.
Stay tuned for updates as this important community event unfolds, and consider sharing this information to help spread the word about the critical assistance available this weekend.
