Let's Talk Turkey!

My husband Doug used to manage the Boston Market on Route 10 in Livingston.  They had a term that they used when they ran out of chickens. It was called "chicken stress". We experienced that last Friday at the Holy Trinity-West Orange Food Pantry when we were inundated by nearly 80 people that came in to receive their monthly emergency food and thanksgiving extras, including a turkey. Even with what we had collected, including the 20 free turkeys from the Community Food Bank in Hillside, it was not enough to make it through the day. Eighty people actually represents upwards of 250 people, as they come in for themselves, their children and others that live with them. We were in "turkey stress" — big time.

Had it been another food pantry, in another town, that might have been the end of it. But this food pantry is blessed to have, hands down, the most supportive community of residents. We had to put the word out, and we needed to hope for the best, which, I thought, would be about 40 - 50 turkeys. We still had three days to go and no turkeys in sight. I put the shout out on Facebook to my friends, posted on the West Orange Watercooler, and asked Jessica Glicker, town info officer, to post on the town website. 

Before 7 p.m. Friday, 13 turkeys were already on my front porch. We had 25 by Sunday night, and the town post was going out Monday morning. Then, the phone calls and emails started coming. Drop-offs were non-stop at the pantry. My porch was Turkey Central. People were even making financial contributions. Thanks to the great people and businesses  of West Orange, we collected over 120 turkeys, and, believe it or not, I'm still getting more! Not to worry though. The December holidays are right around the corner and every turkey is guaranteed to find a home.

So now I am sitting down with my family to have our Thanksgiving meal. But I could not do it until I expressed my gratitude to the residents of a wonderful, caring community for making sure that plenty of other people were having their family meal today too. Happy Thanksgiving, West Orange!