Nine turkey collection events planned for today and Sunday are hoping to generate the 850 remaining turkeys to make sure struggling families in Manteca, Lathrop, and Ripon have traditional holiday meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
On Thursday the Lathrop Lions made the biggest donation to date of 137 turkeys.
That brought the overall total to 265 turkeys and $7,246. That means Turkeys R Us have 750 of the 1,600 turkeys they need this year as they can purchase turkeys at $15 apiece.
While the need is less this year, there are 700 struggling families that signed up at food closets in Manteca, Lathrop, and Ripon that Turkeys R Us through the Second Harvest Food Bank are providing holiday meals.
Another 200 turkeys are needed for Thanksgiving will be used for the free turkey meal prepared that day for 2,300 people by volunteers coordinated by Manteca Rotary and Sunrise Kiwanis at Mt. Mike’s Pizza. Those meals are served to people who live alone and want to dine with others, the homeless, seniors and struggling families that have not asked for help from food closets and the homeless.
The first 900 turkeys are needed by Tuesday to be able to distribute them in time for Thanksgiving. With the ability to deliver 750 turkeys thanks to donations, the effort is 50 short for Thanksgiving and 850 short when Christmas is included.
Frozen turkeys can be dropped off at Second Harvest Food Bank at 1220 Vanderbilt Circle in Manteca Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cash donations can be made online at www.localfoodbank.org or dropped off or at Second Harvest. If you have questions contact the food bank at 239.2091.
There are a number of organizations and events that are collecting turkeys in the next two days for struggling families in Manteca, Lathrop, and Ripon.
Today
CORE 209 WORKOUT: A special boot camp workout open to anyone of any ability starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. and lasts until 10 a.m. at Core 209 at 17960 Ideal Parkway east of Manteca off East Highway 120 on Saturday, Nov. 17. The fee is a frozen turkey or cash donation.
X-CEL CROSSFIT TURKEY THROWDOWN: The X-Cel Crossfit annual Turkey Throwdown is Saturday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Manteca Commerce Center off Moffat Boulevard. While the competition is for members only who will be donating turkeys the general public is invited to drop by and donate turkeys as well.
GROCERY OUTLET & KHOP RADIO: Grocery Outlet at Northwoods Drive and Yosemite Avenue is working with KHOP to collect turkeys and canned foods from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17.
MANTECA FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION: The Manteca Firefighters Association is conducting a frozen turkey drive in front of the Safeway next to Wal-Mart on South Main Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17.
STUFF THE BUS AT FOOD-4-LESS: Manteca Transit along with KWIN radio is conducting the Stuff the Bus with frozen turkeys and canned goods effort from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, in front of Food 4 Less.
Sunday, Nov. 18
MANTECA FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION: The Manteca Firefighters Association is conducting a frozen turkey drive in front of the Safeway next to Wal-Mart on South Main Street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18.
STUFF THE BUS AT FOOD-4-LESS: Manteca Transit along with KWIN radio is conducting the Stuff the Bus with frozen turkeys and canned goods effort from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18, in front of Food 4 Less.
NORTHGATE LITTLE LEAGUE: The Northgate Little League is conducting a frozen turkey drive Sunday, Nov, 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the snack bar along Hoyt Lane behind Neil Halfley School.
SPRECKELS PARK LITTLE LEAGUE: The Spreckels Park Little League is conducting a frozen turkey drive on Sunday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brock Elliott School.
