| For Immediate Release November 19, 2013 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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DOUBLE THE THANKS AND DOUBLE THE GIVING
AT-RISK YOUTH EARN 851 TURKEY DINNERS IN 4TH ANNUAL THANKSGIVING GANG PREVENTION INCENTIVE
SANTA ANA – Turkey dinners will be awarded tomorrow to 851 at-risk students who succeeded in Orange County Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership’s (OC GRIP) 4th annual Thanksgiving challenge to improve their attendance, behavior, and grades in time for Thanksgiving.
Ralphs/Food 4 Less and Saddleback Church donated double the number of turkey dinners, over 850 this year compared to 400 in years past, as part of the ongoing OC GRIP gang prevention effort to keep kids in school and out of gangs. The total donation is valued at over $25,000. OC GRIP extended the incentive to twice as many students at 43 schools this year compared to the previously-participating 23 schools.
The dinners will include a full Thanksgiving meal to feed a family of 10 and will be delivered to the participating OC GRIP schools for the successful students and their families to pick up tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, starting at 4:30 p.m.
Media interested in attending may contact Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Spokesperson Farrah Emami at (714) 347-8405.
“I am truly humbled and grateful to Ralphs/Food 4 Less and Saddleback Church for bringing Thanksgiving to so many needy and deserving children and doubling the number of their generous donation,” said Orange District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “I am thrilled for the opportunity these children have to do something good for their families and praise them for learning that there are rewards for good behavior.”
“We have many selfless volunteers at Saddleback who will enjoy serving our community alongside the District Attorney and Ralphs to bring hope and encouragement to families in need,” said Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren.
“Ralphs and Food 4 Less are proud to support a program that benefits families, the community at large and keeps our children safe,” said Kendra Doyel, Community Affairs Senior Manager for Ralphs and Food 4 Less. “Our donation to this program is one of the many ways that Ralphs and Food 4 Less contributes to the communities where we work and live. We look forward to seeing the smiling faces of the children who worked so hard to earn this reward for their family when those meals are delivered.”