JFS SOVA Thanksgiving Distribution Serves Over 1,000 Families

On Friday November 19th, the JFS SOVA Food and Community Resource Program held its annual drive-thru Thanksgiving Food Distribution, providing turkeys and other Thanksgiving staples to 1,118 families.

“Over 1 million people in Los Angeles face food insecurity. Thanksgiving highlights for all of us how important food is to celebrating and connecting,” said Tiffany Sgueglia, Director of the JFS SOVA Food and Community Resource Program.

This massive effort was aided by a large cadre of JFS SOVA’s dedicated volunteers, employee volunteers from MK Partners, Inc., and students from Crespi High School. Visitors to JFS SOVA’s pantries in the San Fernando Valley and in the City received turkeys, boxed stuffing, boxed mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, pumpkin puree, yams, and gravy. Kosher clients received kosher turkey legs, potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, sweet potatoes, celery, and onions.

Aside from the drive-thru distribution, JFS SOVA also curated a special Thanksgiving box for clients who receive deliveries at home, as well as clients who visit JFS SOVA’s pop-up pantries at Kings Road and the Canoga Park.

“At JFS SOVA, we want to make sure the cost of food for Thanksgiving is not a financial burden for the clients we serve,” said Tiffany Sgueglia. “The supply chain issues and inflation this year are especially challenging, so we are grateful we have procured enough food for all the households who ask.”

On top of the dedication of JFS SOVA’s many volunteers, the Thanksgiving distribution was also a success thanks to JFS SOVA’s amazing staff, including Felice Resnick, Kathi Dawidowicz, Dennis Schoenrock, Sandra Flannery, Jonnie Tibbetts, Richard Greenfield and many JFS social workers;  Nancy Volpert, JFS Director of Public Policy & Strategic Initiatives and Davina Cohanghadosh, Public Policy & Strategic Initiatives Executive Assistant who coordinated with City Officials on traffic management; Sully Miller Contracting Co. who provided safety vests and distributed food in the Valley; and Porch House Productions who distributed food in the City.

“Even though our Thanksgiving distribution is the biggest of the year, our mission revolves around ensuring our community has access to healthy food in a friendly environment with social workers that can offer warm connections to additional support, resources and benefits, all year long,” said Tiffany.

To learn more about SOVA or donate, please visit: https://www.jfsla.org/program/food-pantries/