San Gabriel Valley Water Company and California American Water Team with State Assemblymember Mike Eng for “Operation Gobble”

California State Assemblymember Mike Eng, San Gabriel Valley Water Company and California American Water distributed more than 200 turkeys to local non-profits at The Church of Our Saviour Center located at 4316 North Peck Road in El Monte, Calif., on Wednesday, November 16, as part of the 21st annual “Operation Gobble” program.

Operation Gobble is a joint philanthropic venture between California water companies and local state legislators that is set to deliver an estimated 30,000 turkeys to at-risk families throughout the state this Thanksgiving holiday.

Since 1990, the program has paired the resources of the private and public sectors to benefit those in need. Participating investor-owned water companies, such as San Gabriel Valley Water Company and California American Water, provide turkeys and delivery services in partnership with local elected officials who offer expertise in directing the donations to community food banks, churches and other non-profit organizations.

"This annual program raises awareness of the issue of hunger in California while helping those who need it most," said State Assemblymember Eng. "This year more than ever, it is important we all reach out to others in the community to ensure that every Californian doesn't go without this season of Thanksgiving."

Local non-profits that will participate in Operation Gobble will include The Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley, Church of Our Saviour, El Monte/South El Monte Emergency Resources Center, People For People, Asian Youth Center, La Casa de San Gabriel and the Boys & Girls Club of San Gabriel Valley.

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.

California American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 600,000 people. California American Water’s Los Angeles County service district includes approximately 28,000 households and businesses and serves a population of about 100,000 people in the cities of Bradbury, Duarte, El Monte, Irwindale, Monrovia, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino and Temple City, as well as unincorporated portions of Los Angeles County and the Baldwin Hills area.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded 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 more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

In 2011, American Water is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a year long campaign to promote water efficiency and the importance of protecting water from source to tap. To learn more, visit www.amwater125.com.