El Paso, Texas – On Saturday morning, Operation H.O.P.E. continued its 31‑year tradition of helping local families celebrate Thanksgiving by handing out food baskets at a drive‑through event held in the El Paso Community Coliseum.
Drive‑through giveaway serves 1,000 families
From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., volunteers stationed at the Coliseum distributed one basket per vehicle. Each basket contained a turkey, a dozen eggs, a gallon of milk, fresh produce and a selection of non‑perishable items, giving families the essential ingredients for a holiday meal.
Volunteer effort rooted in community love
Rubi Gomez, co‑founder of Angel Gomez’s Operation H.O.P.E., told ABC‑7 that the nonprofit relies entirely on volunteers and donations. “We do this out of the goodness of our hearts to be here to help other people endure difficult times,” Gomez said. “That is what Operation H.O.P.E. has done for the past 31 years in El Paso.”
The organization, founded by Angel Gomez, has made the Thanksgiving food drive an annual event, drawing support from local churches, businesses and civic groups. The baskets are assembled by volunteers the day before the giveaway, ensuring that each family receives a complete meal package.
Community partners and donors
Local businesses contributed turkey, dairy products and produce, while churches organized donation drives to stock the baskets. The El Paso Community Coliseum offered its facilities free of charge, allowing the event to remain low‑cost and focused on serving those in need.
“Our community is strong because we look after one another,” said a longtime volunteer who helped load the baskets onto trucks. “Seeing families leave with a smile reminds us why we keep doing this year after year.”
Looking ahead
Operation H.O.P.E. plans to expand its outreach next year, aiming to reach more families and add additional items such as canned goods and pantry staples. The organization encourages residents to donate non‑perishable foods, monetary contributions, or volunteer time to keep the tradition alive.
For more information about how to support Operation H.O.P.E. or to learn about upcoming events, visit the nonprofit’s website.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
