1,000 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:      2:30 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009
Where:     Firehouse Community Center
           810 Grand Avenue
           Sacramento, CA 95838
Contact:   Evan Jacobs for California American Water at (916) 568-4252
           Alicia Trost for Senator Steinberg at (916)-651-4188
           Sarah Moussa for Assemblymember Jones at (916) 324-4676

California Assemblymember Dave Jones, State Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg and California American Water will provide 1,000 turkeys to local non-profits at the Firehouse Community Center on Nov. 24, 2009 as part of the 19th annual "Operation Gobble" program.

"I'm working every day to develop solutions to challenges facing California," said State Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg. "Today it's simple: our local non-profit partners will help us provide 1000 Sacramento families with a Thanksgiving meal."

"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.

"Operation Gobble is a community partnership that brings together a local business with some of the most effective non-profits in my district," said Assemblymember Dave Jones. "Through this innovative partnership, we are going to deliver a Thanksgiving meal to many in Sacramento who may have otherwise gone without."

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 Jones, Senator Steinberg and California American Water selected the Firehouse Community Center in Del Paso Heights as the central point from which they will distribute 1,000 turkeys to local charities.

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, State Senator Steinberg, Assemblymember Dave Jones and our non-profit partners, 1,000 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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