Morongo accepting applications for Annual Community Outreach Awards. MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION - Morongo is now accepting applications for the 5th Annual Community Outreach Awards Program. The annual program awards grants of up to $5,000 to dozens of community organizations. Since 2022, the program has given out more than $1.3 million to nearly 300 nonprofit groups. Organizations must apply by January 16, 2026, and award recipients will be announced in the spring. Program requirements for eligibility and a one-page grant application can be found online at www.morongonation.org/donations/ Questions about the program may be directed to the Morongo Community Outreach Department by calling 951-755-5063 or by email at [email protected]

Morongo donates Thanksgiving turkeys to area nonprofits for holiday meals to those in need. BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) - The Morongo Band of Mission Indians gave away 15,000 turkeys this week to 122 non-profit organizations to provide holiday meals to families, seniors, and veterans in need for its 39th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach program. Tribal members and volunteers gathered at the Morongo Community Center for two days starting on Monday to distribute the Thanksgiving turkeys to the organizations, including food pantries, churches, senior centers, schools and veteran groups from across Southern California. "The roots of Morongo's Thanksgiving Outreach program stretch back decades to a time when our tribe sought to help others even as we struggled in face of adversity," said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. "This year, we continue to honor our Tribe's legacy of giving to others by providing tens of thousands of holiday meals to those who are struggling across the region." Numerous groups from across the Coachella Valley received turkeys from Morongo, including * Coachella Valley Rescue Mission in Indio * St. Elizabeth of Hungary Food Pantry in Desert Hot Springs * First Community Baptist Church in Desert Hot Springs * Family Services of the Desert - Food Now in Desert Hot Springs * Christ is Salvation Church in Thermal * Palm Springs Unified School District in Palm Springs * The Galilee Center in Mecca The Palm Springs Unified School District's Family and Community Engagement Department received 200 turkeys to help students and their families enjoy a meaningful holiday meal together while easing the burden for those experiencing food insecurity during the holiday season. "On behalf of the Palm Springs Unified School District, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Morongo Band of Mission Indians for their incredible generosity," said Jarvis Williams, the Palm Springs Family and Community Engagement Coordinator. "These are challenging times for many in our community, and these turkeys will make an amazing difference in helping our families and students celebrate Thanksgiving with true joy. Partnerships like this strengthen our district and the community, showing our students that they are truly valued and supported." "The contribution from Morongo will touch lives across the Coachella Valley, helping us provide nutritious holiday meals to families who need them most," said Lupe Torres-Hilario, Director of Operations of the Galilee Center in Mecca. "Morongo's partnership strengthens our mission to serve the most vulnerable in our community with compassion, dignity, and hope." Lupe Torres Hilario of the Galilee Center said they received 300 turkeys, adding, "So many families are going to be blessed out in the east Coachella Valley right now. We're serving about 530 families, but for Christmas we are expecting over 800 families to come out and get their turkey box." Other organizations receiving turkeys were from Banning, Beaumont, Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Temecula, Redlands, Los Angeles, and other communities. The turkeys donated this year will provide nearly 300,000 holiday meals. Morongo has contributed almost 230,000 turkeys over the years in its Annual Thanksgiving Outreach program, which have helped provide nearly 4.5 million holiday meals. Participating groups submitted applications to the Tribe earlier this year. For organizations interested in receiving turkeys next Thanksgiving, applications are due in Spring 2026. Applications will be available at https://morongonation.org/thanksgiving-outreach.