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Free turkeys make Thanksgiving a little brighter for Merced’s less fortunate

Sun-Star Staff
Greg Hostetler, owner of Hostetler Ranches, laughs with Maria Torres Cardenas, 36, of Merced during a free turkey giveaway at the Merced County Fairgrounds on Sunday. Cardenas, who arrived at 5:30 a.m., was the first person in line to receive one of 500 turkeys and 500 bags of almonds during the giveaway. Hostetler has been organizing the event for over 30 years.
Greg Hostetler, owner of Hostetler Ranches, laughs with Maria Torres Cardenas, 36, of Merced during a free turkey giveaway at the Merced County Fairgrounds on Sunday. Cardenas, who arrived at 5:30 a.m., was the first person in line to receive one of 500 turkeys and 500 bags of almonds during the giveaway. Hostetler has been organizing the event for over 30 years. Andrew Kuhn akuhn@mercedsunstar.com

Thanksgiving will be a little brighter for hundreds of Merced County families, thanks to the generosity of local businessman Greg Hostetler.

Free turkeys were distributed to less fortunate families Sunday afternoon at the Merced County Fairgrounds. More turkeys are scheduled to be distributed 2 p.m. Monday at the Los Banos Fairgrounds, 403 F St. in Los Banos.

Hostetler Ranches distributed 500 turkeys and 500 bags of almonds in Merced on Sunday, and will give away just as many in Los Banos on Monday. There is a limit of one turkey per household.

Hostetler, owner of Hostetler Ranches, has been organizing the giveaways for more than 30 years, he said. The events are in memory of his wife, who died four years ago. Hostetler has previously said it was her wish to carry on the tradition to help others.

For more information, email HostetlerTurkeys@gmail.com.

This story was originally published November 23, 2014 at 7:33 PM with the headline "Free turkeys make Thanksgiving a little brighter for Merced’s less fortunate."

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