As it does every year, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians is lending a helping hand for Thanksgiving.

For the 39th year, it’s donating turkeys to churches and charitable groups across the Inland Empire and beyond so they, in turn, can help others.

The 39th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach Program got underway Monday, Nov. 17, for the first of two pickup days.

In all, the tribe is giving away 15,000 free turkeys to 122 nonprofit groups, churches and charities. Inland area groups receiving turkeys this year include those in Loma Linda, San Bernardino, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Murrieta and Hemet.

Ecclesia Christian Fellowship in San Bernardino was among those at the reservation near Cabazon on Monday to load up.

The church plans to make good use of the 200 turkeys it received.

“In a time

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