15,000 free turkeys are on the way to the needy, courtesy of the Morongo tribe

As it does every year, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians is lending a helping hand for Thanksgiving.

For the 39th year, it’s donating turkeys to churches and charitable groups across the Inland Empire and beyond so they, in turn, can help others.

Volunteer Max Gillette, right, stacks a pallet of boxes with turkeys Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the Morongo Band of Mission Indians’ 39th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach Program. The tribe near Cabazon is giving away 15,000 free turkeys to 122 nonprofit groups, churches and charities from the Inland Empire and beyond. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)

The 39th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach Program got underway Monday, Nov. 17, for the first of two pickup days.

In all, the tribe is giving away 15,000 free turkeys to 122 nonprofit gr