Golden State Water and California American Water Team Up with State Assembly Member Ken Cooley for “Operation Gobble”

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California American Water:

California State Assemblymember Ken Cooley and two water companies serving his district – Golden State Water Company (Golden State Water) and California American Water – will provide 300 fresh turkeys to local non-profits as part of the 28th annual “Operation Gobble” program. The turkeys will be distributed at Assemblymember Ken Cooley’s district office on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. The turkeys were provided at cost by Save Mart Supermarkets and will benefit numerous causes throughout the Sacramento area.

“Operation Gobble” is a charitable joint venture between California water companies and elected officials and is set to deliver thousands of turkeys to families and individuals with limited resources throughout the state this Thanksgiving holiday. The program, which started in 1990, pairs the local knowledge of elected officials with the resources of the private sector to benefit those in need.

“This program would not be possible without the hard work of California American Water and Golden State Water. Families in Sacramento can now rely on a Thanksgiving meal,” said Assemblymember Ken Cooley. “Operation Gobble gives us the opportunity to give to those in need this holiday season.”

During the program, participating investor-owned water companies like California American Water and Golden State Water provide turkeys and transportation in partnership with local elected officials who offer local expertise in directing the donations to community food banks, churches and other non-profit organizations. This year, Save Mart Supermarket is providing the turkeys at their cost to help reach even more families.

“Operation Gobble would not be possible without the support of Golden State Water, Assembly Member Cooley and our non-profit partners. We are proud to be a part of this effort, which makes the Thanksgiving holiday a little brighter for our communities in need,” said Evan Jacobs, California American Water’s director of regulatory policy and case management.

Millions of Californians lack sufficient resources to feed themselves on a regular basis. Many of these residents are low-income families that will not be able to afford a Thanksgiving meal.

Thanks to the efforts of California American Water, Assemblymember Cooley and Golden State Water, Sacramento families will now have a Thanksgiving meal this Holiday season.

California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 615,000 people.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. Marking its 130th anniversary this year, the company employs more than 6,700 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.

Golden State Water Company (Golden State Water) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American States Water Company (NYSE:AWR). Golden State Water provides water service to approximately 259,000 customers throughout 10 counties in Northern, Coastal and Southern California, and distributes electricity to approximately 24,000 customers in the City of Big Bear Lake and surrounding areas in San Bernardino County, California through its Bear Valley Electric Service division. American States Water Company also owns a contracted services subsidiary, American States Utility Services, Inc. (ASUS). ASUS provides operations, maintenance and construction management services for water and wastewater systems located on military bases throughout the country under 50-year privatization contracts with the U.S. government.