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:

What:			Operation Gobble
When:			12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016
Where:			Assembly Member Ken Cooley District Office
			2729 Prospect Park Drive, Suite 130
			Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Contact:			Evan Jacobs for California American Water at (916) 568-4252
			Paige Bedegrew for Golden State Water at (916) 448-5802
			Assembly Member Cooley District Office at (916) 464-1910

California State Assembly Member Ken Cooley and two water companies serving his district – Golden State Water Company (Golden State Water) and California American Water – will provide 450 turkeys with a combined weight of more than two tons to local non-profits as part of the 26th annual "Operation Gobble" program. The turkeys will be distributed at his district office on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016 to approximately 21 organizations including the St. John's Homeless Shelter, the North Highlands Community Church and the Rancho Cordova Food Closet.

"Operation Gobble" is a joint charitable 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 unique program, which started in 1990, pairs the local knowledge of elected officials with the resources of the private sector to benefit those in need.

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.

"The dedicated local employees of California American Water and Golden State Water work hard to provide a high quality and reliable water supply to thousands of homes and businesses in the greater the Sacramento region," said Paul Schubert, Northern General Manager for Golden State Water. "Operation Gobble has become an important part of the holiday season for all of our employees, providing us the opportunity support our customers, our neighbors and our families."

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.

"Golden State Water, California American Water, Assembly Member Cooley and our non-profit partners are proud to be a part of this effort, which makes the Thanksgiving holiday a little brighter for our neighbors in need," said Evan Jacobs, the External Affairs Manager for California American Water.

California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water 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 AWR. Golden State Water provides water service to approximately 257,000 customers throughout 10 counties in Northern, Coastal and Southern California, and distributes electricity to approximately 24,000 customers in the Big Bear recreational area of 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.

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