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Operat ion Turkey Elgin achieved its ambitious goal this Thanksgiving, delivering 2,590 meals to neighbors in need.
Hosted at Firewild on Main, the community- wide effort brought together a record 145 volunteers to prepare and del iver mea l s across Elgin and surrounding areas.
Mayor Theresa McShan joined the event to present a proclamation recognizing the program’s service and its organizer, Shametra McGregor.
“Thanksgiving Day was a remarkable example of the goodness in our community. Our volunteers came from various counties sharing hugs, optimism and plenty of smiles,” Mc-Gregor said.
McGregor launched Operation Turkey Elgin last year with the help of 65 volunteers, delivering 1,100 meals.
This year’s success and growth ref lects both the program’s expanding reach and local support, according to the organizer. Along with the mayor, parents, children and local volunteer f i ref ighters came out to lend a hand.
“Beautiful people everywhere showed up to help,” McGregor added. “The repetitive phrase I heard that was music to my ears was, ‘I am here to volunteer with Operation Turkey, where do you need me?’” Volu nt e e r s beg a n prepa rat ion s ea r ly Thanksgiving morning, assembling meals and delivering them to families, senior communities, churches and shelters.
Support from local businesses, l ike an emergency H-E-B donation of 50 pounds of butter, and pre-event f undr a i s e r s , highlighted Elgin’s commitment to fighting food insecurity, McGregor added.
The organizer also noted the importance of continued support, with plans already underway for next year’s operation.
“We were blessed to have addit ional resources this year, but I know we will need more in the future,” she said. “With this type of increase, our partnerships and sponsorships take on even more meaning for a successful Operation Turkey.”
Nationally, Operation Turkey fed 75,000 this year, celebrating 25 years of continual service.
For those who wish to contribute, the program is still accepting donations, and sponsorship opportunities for 2025 are available. For more information, visit operat ionturkey.com or email elgintx@operationturkey. com.
