Operation Turkey

Volunteers look to serve 3K meals amid rising demand

Operation Turkey Elgin is preparing for its largest Thanksgiving outreach yet, with volunteers aiming to deliver 3,000 meals across Elgin and surrounding communities.

The volunteer-run nonprofit has seen meal requests surge since launching locally three years ago. Elgin operation leader Shametra McGregor said the group served 1,100 meals in its first year and jumped to 2,590 last Thanksgiving with the community’s help.

“Operation Turkey’s success is a testament to the incredible support of our local businesses and volunteers, and we are truly grateful for their unwavering commitment each year,” McGregor said.

Founded in Austin, Operation Turkey has grown into a national nonprofit serving cities across Texas and several other states. The organization has no paid staff and relies entirely on volunteers, according to officials.

More than 250 participated in the Elgin effort last year.

“Usually, around this time, people rally around the community,” McGregor said. “We’re starting to see a larger amount of volunteers come out.”

McGregor said she believes continued economic pressure, including reduced SNAP benefits and rising costs, is pushing more people to seek help.

“I think that there’s a lot going on right now in the world,” she said. “Even though we operate one day a year, we’re happy to step up to the challenge to help our neighbors in need.”

The nonprofit is expanding meal deliveries to nearby communities this year, connecting with residents in McDade and Paige after seeing the demand in community events.

“We share our meals with them because there are small cities that don’t have access,” McGregor said. “If someone needs a meal, we want to get one to them.”

McGregor said one of the most impactful parts of working with Operation Turkey comes from forming connections and asking strangers if they have a Thanksgiving meal — an approach she thinks more residents should adopt.

“You’d be surprised if you go up to a stranger and they tell you that they don’t have a Thanksgiving meal,” she said. “When you stop and connect with them, and you sign them up for a meal right there — they’ll remember that for the rest of their lives. They will remember that someone cared enough about them.”

Residents can find updates and volunteer information on the Operation Turkey Elgin Facebook and Instagram pages. A volunteer orientation is scheduled for Nov. 13 at Morelia Mexican Grill at 6:30 p.m.

Those interested in helping can register under the Elgin location at operationturkey.com.

Other local operations include Bastrop, Round Rock, Pflugerville and San Marcos.