GLIDE Memorial Church kicks off annual Turkey Drive with help from Golden State Valkyries

The spirit of giving is alive and well in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood.

GLIDE kicked off its annual turkey drive Tuesday to help feed thousands this Thanksgiving.

Members of the Golden State Valkyries rolled up their sleeves to serve meals and support the community.

Golden State Valkyries mascot Violet was also on hand with staff preparing and distributing meals to each person.

“We’re deeply rooted in this community, and we’re supported by the community, and so anything we can do to give back. That means everything to us,” said Katie Stockberger, the Golden State Valkyries’ vice president of corporate partnerships.

GLIDE President Dr. Gina Fromer said that even before the government shutdown, SNAP benefits for a large number of people had been impacted. Today, even after the shutdown, she says too many people still struggle with food insecurity.

“People were stressed before all this happened,” Dr. Fromer said. “So our goal is to say, ‘Hey, you don’t have to stress. Can’t afford that second or third meal? Come to GLIDE. We got you. We’re going to make you feel like there’s dignity and respect.'”

Dr. Fromer said donations are needed and accepted. The nonprofit organization is calling on the community to donate frozen turkeys at its turkey tent located at 330 Ellis Street in Taylor, San Francisco.

Still, she said volunteering is just as important as any donation.

“I think that’s the most important thing, especially for isolated older people. They don’t have friends, they don’t have family, they have the chance to come here to see their friends and care for their neighbors. That’s why Glide is important,” Dr. Fromer said.

Glide Turkey Drive Receives Thanksgiving Meal Donations in ‘Unprecedented’ Need

With Thanksgiving just two days away, Glide is launching its annual turkey drive to help feed thousands this Thanksgiving.

“I just want to do our little part,” David Mar said.

Mar donates to the cause.

“I had a turkey in the oven or in the fridge, my wife was thinking of donating it to Glide, she told me to get it down,” Mar said.

Food donations are also accepted, Brenda is donating a 50 pound bag of rice.

“During the pandemic I was getting food from the food bank, so I think maybe I can help us out and give it back,” Brenda said.

Some turkeys and hams have already been donated and cooked in Glide’s kitchens. Volunteers prepare A for the holiday, carving pumpkin pie, including California lieutenant governor and San Francisco resident Eleni Kounalakis.

“Every year hundreds of people like me come to volunteer at Glide, it’s the beating heart of San Francisco on Thanksgiving,” Kounalakis said.

Glide is welcoming more people than ever for Thanksgiving. It used to be 1,500 meals. This year, 2,500 meals will be served.

“What we are seeing now is unprecedented,” said Karl Robillard of the Glide Foundation.

Glide says the cost of living and a pause in SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown are causing great anxiety in the community.

“We need to stand up, Glide really needs to be here, we need people’s support, we are determined to make sure that anyone who needs food can come forward,” Robillard said.

Overnight, a donation of more than a dozen turkeys arrived. The turkey drive continues Wednesday at 330 Ellis Street.

The turkey drive runs from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

As for volunteers, Dr. Fromer says they are welcome all year round.

You can learn more about how to volunteer and GLIDE’s Thanksgiving celebrations here.

If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live