SF Just Gave 5,000+ Free Turkeys to Needy Families
Mayor London Breed’s Annual Turkey Giveaway Distributed Over 5,000 Turkeys to Families and Residents
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
In place of large giveaway events that cannot occur due to COVID-19, City departments, the A. Phillip Randolph Institute, and community partners worked together to safely distribute turkeys at public housing locations and non-profit organizations
San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today announced the City, in partnership with the A. Philip Randolph Institute of San Francisco (APRI), delivered turkeys and other various dry goods to families at public housing sites and non-profit organizations in San Francisco as part of the 14th Annual Mayor’s Turkey Giveaway. This Thanksgiving season the City and its partners created a new distribution plan because COVID-19 prevented the ability to do the annual turkey giveaways where large crowds gathered.
Despite these challenges, more than 5,000 frozen turkeys and packages of dry goods were distributed across San Francisco to residents of public housing and families that have been severely financially impacted due to COVID-19.
This year’s turkey giveaway is especially important for San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents. Prior to COVID-19, one in four San Francisco residents were at risk of hunger due to low income. COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted these families even further. The City’s unemployment rate is at an estimated 8.4%, with more than 200,000 San Franciscans applying for unemployment.
While public schools, food banks, and state and local food security programs continue to provide food assistance for extremely low-income households, many families in public housing or underserved communities that have experienced a reduction in income and are struggling to make ends meet. The turkeys and packages of dry goods are providing some much-needed food security for the Thanksgiving holiday.
This year’s turkey giveaway is a collaboration between the Mayor’s Office, the San Francisco Human Services Agency, the San Francisco Housing Authority (SFHA), the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, the San Francisco Police Department, the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD), and HOPE SF. The turkeys were provided by the City with the generous support of the A. Phillip Randolph Institute of San Francisco via contributions to the City’s Give2SF Fund.
Additionally, Whole Foods supported the giveaway with in-kind donation of 200 turkeys. Give2SF is currently accepting donations and funds provide shelter, food, and other assistance to individuals, families, small businesses, and nonprofits in San Francisco.
Due to COVID-19, the turkey deliveries were offered as part of existing food distribution efforts and there will not be giveaway events as in past years. Instead, SFHA and MOHCD helped distribute the turkeys. SFHA and MOCHD have been coordinating food to approximately 3,200 families living at their housing sites since the Stay Home Order took effect in March 2020. Staff members been follow all COVID-19 safety protocols, and cleanliness and sanitation requirements.
The A. Phillip Randolph Institute (APRI), a local nonprofit organization, identifies families in need and helps to distribute the turkeys. The deliveries took place between Wednesday, November 18 and Monday, November 23, and the turkeys were handed out to families at public housing sites in San Francisco in time for Thanksgiving.
Last week, Mayor Breed launched the We Will Recover campaign to promote individual actions San Franciscans can take to support San Francisco’s recovery from COVID-19. We Will Recover focuses on three ways people can do their part this holiday season: Holidays at Home, Shop and Dine in the 49, and Help Your Neighbors in Need.
Help your Neighbors in Need features San Francisco-based volunteering opportunities focused on food security and anti-isolation efforts during the holidays and into the new year. The site lists a range of volunteer opportunities with non-profit organizations that are working to provide food access and anti-isolation support to San Francisco residents. Help Your Neighbors in Need offers both in-person and virtual volunteer options. For those who prefer to donate to philanthropic efforts, the site offers San Francisco based giving campaigns that support San Francisco non-profit organizations, including the City’s Give2SF Fund. For more information, visit: sf.gov/helpyourneighbors.
San Franciscans who are need assistance getting or affording food should call 311 or visit sf.gov/get-food-resources.
