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Food and Gratitude to Thousands of Families
The City of Inglewood marked a decade of giving on Wednesday with its 10th Annual Turkey Giveaway at SoFi Stadium. Sponsored by PepsiCo and Don Lee Farms, the event brought together city leaders, celebrities, community volunteers, corporate partners, and sports organizations to provide Thanksgiving essentials to more than 2,500 pre-registered Inglewood families.
The drive-thru event saw turkeys, boxes of fresh produce, and beverages distributed to registered families, continuing a holiday tradition that has become a cornerstone of the city’s community outreach efforts. This year’s donations included turkeys courtesy of Don Lee Farms, along with sides, Pepsi beverages, and produce boxes featuring russet potatoes, carrots, and Granny Smith apples, provided by Melissa’s Produce. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Los Angeles Chargers also lent their support to ensure a smooth and successful distribution.
Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, members of the City Council, and Hollywood Park executives joined forces with more than 60 community and corporate volunteers to distribute the items. Reacting to the event’s success, Mayor Butts said, “The essence of a community is shown when we share our prosperity. Thanksgiving is a time to show our gratitude to one another, and it’s a privilege to continue this tradition of supporting our families.
For the first time, this year’s event welcomed local hip-hop legend Mack 10 as a sponsor. A longtime supporter of Inglewood’s community initiatives, Mack 10 received a key to the city earlier this year in recognition of his contributions. Reflecting on his involvement in the Turkey Giveaway, Mack 10 shared, “Some of these families really need help, so this event is important because it’s simply putting food on people’s tables. I’m from Inglewood, so anything that I can do to help somebody from Inglewood out, I’m going to do it.”
Corporate sponsors also echoed the importance of giving back. John Dean, President of PepsiCo Beverages North America, West Division, shared, “For the fourth consecutive year, we are excited to be a part of this drive that makes a positive impact on local families as they prepare to celebrate this holiday season.”
Donald Goodman, Founder and CEO of Don Lee Farms, added, “Giving back to Inglewood has been essential to our mission since the 1980s. We’re proud to stand alongside the city to make this event impactful for those we proudly call our neighbors.” The giveaway has grown substantially over its 10-year history, with Hollywood Park serving as the venue for the past four years. For many families, the event represents not just a source of Thanksgiving staples but a reminder of the strength of community and the spirit of giving that Inglewood has consistently embodied this time of year.
