Join us in celebrating the power of giving back, and see how Snelling Katy TX is leading by example this holiday season. Together, we can make a difference—one meal at a time.
The holiday season is a time for giving, and the team at Snelling Katy TX knows how to make an impact. For the third consecutive year, this staffing office has joined forces with Operation Turkey, volunteering their time to help serve Thanksgiving meals to families in need.
This year, the Snelling Katy TX team will volunteer the day before Thanksgiving at the local Elks Lodge, just minutes from their office. The lodge serves as a hub for assembling and distributing meals, and for Jordan Ramirez, the branch manager, this project is personal.
“Knowing that it's local, it's easily accessible, and we still can help people in our immediate community is why we just decided to jump in,” Jordan explained.
Operation Turkey: A national mission
Since its inception 24 years ago, Operation Turkey has grown into a nationwide initiative, delivering over 50,000 meals annually to those in need. This year, the organization aims to expand its reach, with a goal of 75,000 meals delivered on Thanksgiving Day.
The program runs on pure volunteer power—40,000 people across 20+ locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Texas dedicate their time to ensure that everyone has a warm meal during the holiday season.
At the Elks Lodge in Katy, volunteers like Jordan and her colleagues take on everything from food prep to packaging meals. “We were pre-packaging all of certain sides and pre-portioning containers for each meal,” Jordan said about her experience last year. “We kind of get stationed wherever we're needed.”
Jordan added that she and her team have worked on everything except grilling the turkeys, which is handled by experienced barbecue teams. “There are full trailers and barbecue trailers. It's the whole thing. So we let the professionals deal with the turkeys, but we’ve got it on the inside,” she joked.
A tradition rooted in community
The Snelling Katy TX team first became involved with Operation Turkey after one of their former recruiters noticed a call for volunteers. The proximity to their office made participation even easier, and Jordan was eager to bring the team on board.
“The lodge is only about a mile from our office,” Jordan shared. “We already leave early the day before Thanksgiving because it's a little slower, not much going on with our clients. They're usually out the door, too. So we figured why not do something good with our time?”
This year, Jordan will be joined by her colleague Misty and her six-year-old son, Dylan, who is making his second appearance as a volunteer. “He's a very giving kid,” Jordan said. “Even trick-or-treating, he's the kid that wants to give out candy. He doesn't want to go get candy; he'd prefer to pass it out.”
Flexibility encourages greater participation
Jordan appreciates how Operation Turkey has evolved to make volunteering more accessible. In earlier years, volunteers were required to schedule shifts, but now it’s more flexible.
“They kind of just open house—come in when you can, do what you can, and help these people,” Jordan explained. “That flexibility has really increased participation in the area.”
Jordan even sees parallels between the challenges faced by Operation Turkey and her work in staffing. “Just like in recruiting, lots of no call, no shows sometimes,” she said. “I feel like when you ask too much of people, there’s too many restrictions.”
Making an impact, one meal at a time
Although the Snelling Katy TX team primarily helps with food prep and packaging, the heart of Operation Turkey lies in its Thanksgiving Day deliveries. Volunteers use their own vehicles to deliver meals directly to recipients' homes, much like a food delivery service.
Jordan explained, “On Thanksgiving Day, they do have people that are dispatched in their own vehicles. They get certain addresses to get all the food together and they basically Uber Eats it to these people's homes.”
For Jordan and her team, the local focus of the project is especially meaningful. “I love that we're able to do it locally and we're also making an impact locally in our communities that we serve,” she shared.
Looking ahead
As the Snelling Katy TX team gears up for another year with Operation Turkey, Jordan is already thinking about the future. “I wish I would have known about it sooner, but still happy to participate and looking forward to participating for many years,” she said.
For Jordan, Misty, and Dylan, this annual tradition is about more than serving meals—it’s about spreading kindness, creating memories, and strengthening the Katy community.
How you can help
If you’re inspired by Operation Turkey’s mission, there are plenty of ways to get involved. Whether you donate your time, money, or resources, every contribution helps make a difference.
Jordan encouraged, “You don’t have to commit your whole day—just a few hours can make a huge impact.” To learn more about Operation Turkey and how you can support its efforts, visit OperationTurkey.com.
