500 Free Turkeys Delivered to Local Non-profits to Help Needy Families in Advance of Thanksgiving

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ --

What:    Operation Gobble Press Event
When:    11:15 am on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009
Where:   Assemblyman Roger Niello's District Office
         4811 Chippendale Drive
         Sacramento, CA 95841
Contact: Evan Jacobs for California American Water at (916) 568-4252
         Vanessa McCarthy for Assemblyman Niello at (916) 349-1995

California Assemblyman Roger Niello and California American Water will provide 500 turkeys to local non-profits at Assemblyman Niello's District Office on Nov. 24, 2009 as part of the 19th annual "Operation Gobble" program.

"Operation Gobble is a great example of the public sector and private sector working together," said Assemblyman Niello. "As a result of this donation by California American Water, 500 families in my Assembly district will have a little happier Thanksgiving"

"Operation Gobble" is a joint charitable venture between California water companies and local

state legislators and is set to deliver an estimated 30,000 turkeys to under-privileged families throughout the state this Thanksgiving holiday. First begun in 1990, the unique program pairs the local knowledge of state legislators with the resources of the private sector to benefit those in need.

During the program, participating investor-owned water companies like California American

Water provide turkeys and transportation in partnership with local elected officials who offer local expertise in directing the donations to community food banks, churches and other non-profit organizations.

"California American Water has more than 80 employees who live and work here in Sacramento," said California American Water Northern Division General Manager Andy Soule. "This program is an opportunity for us to give back to our customers, our neighbors and our families."

In Sacramento, Assemblymember Niello selected local charities to distribute 500 turkeys to needy families this Thanksgiving season. Participants include Powerhouse Ministries, Twin Lakes Food Bank, Seventh Day Adventist Church, Jubilare Evangelistic Ministry, Placer County Food Bank, St. Lawrence and St. Ignatius Catholic Churches, Arden Church of the Nazarene and the Mission Oaks Park and Recreation District.

According to the latest study of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research on hunger, 2.9 million Californians lack sufficient resources to feed themselves on a regular basis. Many of these residents are low income families that will not be able to afford a Thanksgiving meal. Thanks to the efforts of California American Water, Assembly Member Niello and our non-profit partners, 500 families will have a much better Thanksgiving.

California American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 600,000 people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in 32 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting

www.amwater.com

SOURCE California American Water

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