Campus & community, Campus news

UC police and partners donate Thanksgiving fixings to University Village student families

The UCPD-led giveaway of 100 meals was the 10th event of its kind.

By Public Affairs

A photo shows two smiling people unloading boxes from the back of a van.
For the 10th annual Thanksgiving meal giveaway, the University of California Police Department and partners delivered 100 frozen turkeys, along with produce and grocery store gift cards, to University Village student families.

Brandon Sánchez Mejia/UC Berkeley
A photo shows volunteers loading boxes of produce into the back of a van.
The turkeys and produce for the giveaway were provided by Cal Dining, and the gift cards were provided by Berkeley’s Residential Student Services Program.

Brandon Sánchez Mejia/UC Berkeley
Three volunteers stand in front of the open rear doors of a white delivery van that is filled with cardboard boxes.
UCPD Security Patrol Officer Madrigal and Community Service Officers Puga-Morena and Chan unload boxes at University Village.

Brandon Sánchez Mejia/UC Berkeley
Volunteers wearing yellow shirts and black pants unload boxes from the back of a white van and stack them onto a dolly.
Volunteers unload boxes at University Village, the campus’s housing complex in Albany for students with families.

Brandon Sánchez Mejia/UC Berkeley
A volunteer wearing a turkey hat holds a clipboard and leans against a car.
University Village Community Director Claudia Hall during the event on Nov. 17.

Brandon Sánchez Mejia/UC Berkeley
A volunteer wearing a police uniform unloads a box from a white van.
A UCPD staff member unloads a produce box at University Village.

Brandon Sánchez Mejia/UC Berkeley
A volunteer wearing a black jacket smiles at the camera while carrying a stack of three cardboard boxes.
Lieutenant Miller carries boxes during the giveaway.

Brandon Sánchez Mejia/UC Berkeley
Three people stand beside the entryway to a residence. The person in the middle is holding a large frozen turkey, and the person next to them is holding a cardboard box.
Community Service Officers Puga-Morena and Chan with a University Village resident.

Brandon Sánchez Mejia/UC Berkeley
A volunteer wearing a yellow shirt and black pants walks through University Village.
A volunteer walks through University Village.

Brandon Sánchez Mejia/UC Berkeley
A group shot of 18 people gathered around a park bench.
In recognition of the partnership that has been built over the years, the Nov. 17 event was called the Tenth Annual Community United by Service Thanksgiving Turkey Drive.

Brandon Sánchez Mejia/UC Berkeley

November 21, 2023

Thanksgiving dinner is a tradition in many households, but the upcoming holiday can be stressful for people on a tight budget who can’t afford turkey and all the trimmings.

Enter the University of California Police Department, where officers on the Berkeley campus recently made 100 deliveries of free turkey and a box of produce, along with a gift card to a local grocery store, to University Village, the campus’s housing complex in Albany for students with families.

“The holidays can be challenging, especially for those in need,” said Nicole Miller, a UCPD police administrative lieutenant. “This event gives us an opportunity to coordinate with campus partners and help members of our community. Our hope is to bring some joy to the start of the holiday season.”

The turkeys and produce were provided by Cal Dining and the gift cards by the campus’s Residential Student Services Program. Generous funding came from UCPD, the Federated University Police Officers’ Association and University Village resident association management.

The Nov. 17 Thanksgiving meal giveaway was the 10th one led by the UCPD and, reflecting the partnership it has built over the years, was called the Tenth Annual Community United by Service Thanksgiving Turkey Drive.