The Yavapai County Food Bank is ready to talk turkey.
“We are in the process of gathering 2,500 turkeys for 2,500 families all over Yavapai County,” said Bob Wilson, president of the food bank. Some 1,400 to 1,500 are from the Quad Cities area during the holiday season.
To accompany holiday meals, people are given all the trimmings. “Everything you would have at your home – the yams, the dressing, the mashed potatoes, rolls, pumpkin pie – just like you would have at your home,” Wilson said.
Wilson says the organization began collecting turkeys three months ago and he is expecting donations to come in during the annual Flying High Turkey Drive put on by the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Marnie Uhl, president and CEO of the Chamber, climbs into the basket of a fire truck and for each number of donations, the height of the basket is increased.
“We usually have a good turnout,” said Gloria Grose of the Chamber. “Fry’s gets some extra turkeys for the event and they give good prices on turkeys.”
People also bring turkeys to the food bank as well as perishable vegetables. Wilson says he has plenty of freezer space for the turkeys and refrigeration for the vegetables.
“We are doing toys for all the children,” he said. “Right now we are pushing a family program where people can adopt a family for the holidays.”
The food bank also supports the Needful Things program, which offers almost new clothing.
“We sell nothing. Everything is free. They can pick up new clothing, shoes, and sundries at the same time as diapers for babies. We are supported by donations only. We are not government and we get no government donations,” he said.
While the holiday season is the busy season for the food bank, it runs all year long, seven days a week for the needy. Wilson said the all-volunteer force that works there gives out about 150 food boxes a day, which is about 10 to 12 pounds of food per person.
“We have been here 18 years. We have been very busy,” he said. “It keeps increasing all the time. The economy is not good yet.” QCBN
By Patty McCormac
Quad Cities Business New
To donate or learn more about the food bank, call 928-775-5255.
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