With Thanksgiving only a month away, The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is collecting food and monetary donations to provide community members in need with festive meals this holiday season. The organization will host a Turkey Drive for turkeys and chickens starting Monday, October 28, and hopes to reach a goal of 3,000 birds. Anyone can donate to the locations listed below or sponsor a meal online .
“While the Foodbank continues regular operations to meet the day-to-day needs of families and individuals facing hunger, we look to the community to step up to meet this particular demand by helping local families have the holiday meal they deserve,” stated Foodbank Director of Operations Paul Wilkins in a press release. Last year, the organization fed more than 190,000 people, including 77,000 children.
The Foodbank asks community members to drop off fresh or frozen birds by November 24 so families have them in time for Thanksgiving — however, donations will be accepted through December 15 for other holiday meals. Turkey Drive birds will be distributed to those in need via the Foodbank's network of countywide nonprofit partners such as Catholic Charities, Good Samaritan Shelter, Unity Shoppe, and Santa Barbara Rescue Mission.