100 families thankful for Thanksgiving meals

The Recreation and Parks District gave 100 Shafter families a reason to smile this holiday season through its Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway.

On Nov. 19, cars filed into the parking lot next to the Recreation office to pick up their meals.

Volunteers and sponsors included Shafter Kiwanis, Shafter Rotary Club, Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church, Champs, Miramar International, Shafter Women's Club, Shafter Lions Club and the Shafter Commanders.

Representatives from each organization were stationed at different spots in the lot, each handing out an ingredient to make up a Thanksgiving dinner.

Included in the bounty were frozen turkeys, bags of potatoes, cans of vegetables, pies and corn bread mix, among other items.

Hannah Ramirez, of the Shafter Recreation and Parks District, was the program coordinator for the event, making sure each family received the needed ingredients.

All safety guidelines were followed including face masks, social distancing and participants remained in their cars the entire time.

"With 2020 being such a difficult year, as the community is dealing with the covid-19 pandemic, along with economic challenges that the virus has caused, we wanted to do something positive," said Ramirez.

With families already facing possible job insecurity, health issues, as well as the challenges that face parents right now as their child is either distance learning, or attending in-person sessions, the Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway helped bring the community together, at least in spirit.

Ramirez thanked all of the volunteers and local businesses who donated and made this event a success.

"We are excited for the opportunity to help the Shafter community and hope that this was a blessing to our Shafter families," concluded Ramirez.