Connecticut Food Bank Seeks Turkey Donations for Thanksgiving

The Connecticut Food Bank is seeking donations of turkeys and the trimmings to help the organization reach its goal of providing "Thanksgiving For All," the group announced.

“Thanksgiving is our national meal,” said Connecticut Food Bank CEO Bernie Beaudreau in a statement. “It should be a day when everyone has an opportunity to sit at the table and share in the bounty.”

Beaudreau said the Connecticut Food Bank is hoping to provide 18,040 turkeys for Thanksgiving this year, which represents the total number of requests from its network of nearly 700 programs.

The organization has amassed 95 percent of the goal. “We need 884 turkeys to meet the need of families,” said Beaudreau. “If we could stretch and reach 1,000 additional turkeys, that would help to cover the possibility of changes in need.”

There are multiple opportunities to deliver frozen turkeys, nonperishable foods or financial donations to the Connecticut Food Bank before their major deliveries to food programs begin on Monday, Nov. 21.

Donations are accepted all week, between 8:00AM and 4:30PM, at the Food Bank’s Wallingford distribution center, at 2 Research Parkway. On Saturday, November 19, the Food Bank will be open from 9:00AM to Noon, accepting donations.

Beaudreau said that providing the other items to make a meal, like stuffing mix, canned potatoes, canned yams, canned vegetables and egg noodles, would help to round out the supplies on hand at the Food Bank, which will be supplemented by fresh produce supplied by larger donors, including area farms.

“Generous Connecticut food retailers, manufacturers and growers have provided healthy, fresh vegetables and fruits to build memorable, delicious and healthy meals for people in need.”

Another way to help the Connecticut Food Bank meet the need at Thanksgiving and beyond is with a financial donation, Beaudreau added. “We can turn a dollar into enough food to provide two meals. Financial donations give us the flexibility to put resources where we need them most quickly.”

Other food drives in the area are also available, Beaudreau said. “Thanks to support from local media partners and retailers, we have several sites around the region available for drop-offs of financial donations or food.”

In addition to the donation hours at the Connecticut Food Bank in Wallingford, the following drives are happening between November 17 and November 19:

November 17 and 18

6:00AM to 7:00PM

KC 101FM 26th Annual Stuff-A- Bus Food Drive

Hamden Plaza Shopping Center

2100 Dixwell Ave.

Hamden, CT 06514

November 17

10:00AM to 7:00PM

Star 99.9FM and Stop & Shop Food for Friends Food Drive

Stop & Shop Supermarket

898 Bridgeport Avenue

Shelton, CT 06484

November 17

10:00AM to 7:00PM

WPLR and Stop & Shop Food for Friends Food Drive

Stop & Shop Supermarket

370 Hemingway Avenue

East Haven, CT 06512

November 19

8:00AM to 2:00PM

WATR 1320AM Food Drive

Big Y World Class Market

85 Bridge Street

Naugatuck, CT 06770

November 19

9:00AM to Noon

Connecticut Food Bank Turkey Drive

Connecticut Food Bank Distribution Center

2 Research Parkway

Wallingford, CT 06490

November 19

10:00AM to 2:00PM

WTNH Food Drive

ShopRite Supermarket

745 Foxon Road

East Haven, CT 06512

November 16 through 19

8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Foodbank of Lower Fairfield County

461 Glenbrook Road

Stamford, CT 06906

For more information about the Connecticut Food Bank, it’s Thanksgiving For All initiative, as well as to volunteer or make a financial donation online, visit www.ctfoodbank.org.

Image via Shutterstock