Sue Teunissen at this point wouldn’t mind at all if the community was able to come forward with just enough money to put hams on the tables of struggling families in Manteca, Lathrop, and Ripon this Christmas.

With just 10 days to go before the main course for needy families need to be ordered so they can be delivered in time for Christmas, the Turkeys R Us effort is short of funds meaning 1,060 households may go without on Christmas.

Teunissen and other Turkeys R Us volunteers have just over $2,000 when – coupled with actual turkeys in their possession – to provide for 240 families.

The need this year has been made more acute by the 14 percent unemployment rate in Manteca coupled with large numbers of single-mom families and working families who have seen hours cut back to the point they are struggling to keep their heads above water.

In a bid to make the money available stretch farther, the Turkeys R Us effort may switch to hams. Even so, they still will be coming up at least 1,000 hams short unless donations start rolling in.

The community just weeks ago raised more than $12,500 in addition to donating actual birds to make sure all 1,300 families had a turkey at Thanksgiving.

Funds are needed by Dec. 17 so turkeys and/or hams can be secured and distributed through Second Harvest Food Bank to the 21 food closets in time serving Manteca, Lathrop, and Ripon in time for Christmas.

A number of people take the free turkeys they get for buying a set amount of food at supermarkets during the holidays and donate that to the effort.

Donations (make checks out to Turkeys R Us) can be dropped off at Coldwell Banker Crossroads offices at 319 Main Street near North Street in Manteca or 15810 S. Harlan Road in Lathrop or the Second Harvest Food Bank, 704 E. Industrial Park Drive in Manteca.

If you want to donate a frozen turkey or ham, take it directly to the food bank.

For more information contact Crossroads Real Estate at 823-8141 or the food bank at 239-2091.