It started as a friendly pick-up football game on Thanksgiving 29 years ago with a handful of teens from the Crossroads Grace Community Church youth ministry.
The Manteca Turkey Bowl has since grown. This year’s event took place at Woodward Park and involved nearly 200 players split up into teams of 10 and 13 players.
The flag football competition has a $5 per player donation. Last year the Turkey Bowl generated $1,794 for Love INC’s Christmas meal program. The non-profit has received $7,431 from the Turkey Bowl during the past five years to assist struggling families
Other non-profits that have benefitted from the game in includes HOPE Family Shelters.
It attracts players from throughout the region. After the games are done they canvas the park and nearby streets for trash even if it wasn’t left there by the players or spectators.
See additional photos on Page A7.