Charity Turkey Drive Gets Bigger Every Year

Over the past eight years, Melanie McKinnon and her It Starts With ME non-profit have seen their annual turkey drive for the holidays grow by leaps and bounds.

In 2008, nine meals were delivered. That number has grown to where this year, McKinnon expects to deliver meals to 182 families, and there is a waiting list.

With the growth means a greater need for donations.

There are several ways that local residents can donate, and there are a number of local businesses and organizations that are pitching in to help, as well.

Melissa St Pierre’s class at Salem High School, Advance Health, once is helping with the cause.

Thanksgiving meals that are donated include: Turkey, gravy, tin turkey pans, stuffing, veggies, rolls/breads, milk, juice, potatoes, squash, cranberry sauce, desserts, pies, butter, oil and eggs.

McKinnon is working with Market Basket once again to purchase all the turkeys with the funds raised.

If anyone would like to help It Starts With ME complete its mission, they can drop off donations to McKinnon’s house (2C Fletcher Way, Salem) by Sunday, November 22. If you are dropping off something that requires refrigeration or a gift certificate, email McKinnon at melanie@iswmcharity.com so she can make arrangements to meet you or make sure someone is home to assist. Cash donations can be made through the ISWM paypal account which you can find the link on ISWMCharity.com

Once again Anthony Carnevale has generously offered up his two stores, Salem Liquors, as additional drop off locations. There will be bins set up at both locations starting on November 7th. (125 Canal Street and 128 North Street). Donations are also being accepted at the House of the Seven Gable.

For the latest information on the turkey drive, go to the ISWM Facebook page. >>>