Operation Turkey Drop- Bringing Thanksgiving to Military Families

MEDIA RELEASE: For Immediate Release
Nov. 15, 2024

EAGAN, Minn. – Minnesota National Guard teams with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon partners
and volunteers for Operation Turkey Drop – Thanksgiving meals for Minnesota military
veterans, service members, and families in need.

“This is a tremendous effort that can only be accomplished with the hard work, kindness,
volunteerism, and generosity of so many people across Minnesota, and we greatly appreciate it,” said Army. Col. Eduardo Suarez, Minnesota National Guard’s Director of Culture, Resiliency, and Community Engagement. “Thank you to all of them. We are so fortunate to live and serve in a state that cares for and supports our veterans, service members, and families. This is what community is all about.”

This involves moving an estimated 1,000 items, weighing approximately 10 tons. Five hundred meals kits (300 from Meals from the Heart and 200 from the Christian Academy) filled with groceries were packed at Meals from the Heart in Oak Park Heights. Minnesota Department of Transportation volunteers moved the meal kits to Thomson Reuters, where on Nov. 18, the kits, along with turkeys (200 donated by the Minnesota Wild and approximately 300 donated by Thomson Reuters), will be loaded onto vehicles and delivered by volunteers to armories and air wings across the state. There, the food will be distributed to those who registered to receive them. A similar effort will also be conducted for the Christmas holiday season.

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon establishes and sustains a community and corporate support network that connects agencies, organizations, and resources to meet the needs of Minnesota’s military veterans and service members in all branches and their families. To learn more about BTYR, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil/btyr.

– About the Minnesota National Guard –

Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. The Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars, protect the country, respond to state emergencies, and contribute to local communities. For more information about the Minnesota National Guard, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.

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