INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway in Inglewood is a drive-thru of gratitude that provides 2,500 meals for the city's residents as volunteers come together to deliver turkeys, produce and even some bubbly water.

Maria Zepeda, an Inglewood native who was financially challenged by the pandemic, said she is grateful for the city's generosity.

"Unfortunately, due to COVID, it's not the same that it has been in the past years. That's why I showed up. We needed to get a little motivated, involved, especially get out of the house," she explained.

After a very isolated holiday season last year, some residents even got out of their cars to dance a dance of gratitude because staying alive through a pandemic has a whole new meaning.

As Zepeda received her meal, she said she plans to have over more family members this year and enjoy being present with her loved ones.

"We didn't have much. It wasn't very celebrating, but now, it is getting better. And hoping that it gets better, and we have more blessings to come when we get rid of this COVID thing," she said.  

Some residents were surprised to see a familiar face hand-deliver the turkeys. Rapper Snoop Dogg also helped distribute meals to show love to the community he has invested in for decades.

"This community has taken me in years ago, and this is something we have been doing for a long time to establish our relationship in the community to make sure everybody has a meal, everybody has something to look forward to this Thanksgiving," Snoop Dogg said.

Local Los Angeles teams such as the Rams and the Chargers came together to support Inglewood residents throughout the holiday season. It is a unity Zepeda said is needed more than ever.

"We need to be more together, more united as a community," she said.

Snoop Dogg, enjoying his time with Inglewood's diverse community, could not agree more.

"Peace and love. Go get y'all some turkeys," he said.