Jessica Vaughn has a big challenge.
It’s eight days until Thanksgiving and Manteca food banks — while their cupboards are not exactly bare — are fighting an uphill battle to help families already struggling financially to weather the ravages of inflation.
An no meal has been hit as hard as Thanksgiving when Americans gather with friends and family and count their blessings.
In the past year alone, the price of turkeys have soared 17 percent.
It is Vaughn’s mission to help food banks make sure those that turn to them can share the bounty of Thanksgiving.
Vaughn is part of the Manteca-based Second Harvest Food Bank of the Greater Valley. Every year she helps coordinate the collection of turkeys and other food so that that people won’t go without during the holidays.
“We know times are tough but anything that people can do will be greatly appreciated,” Vaughn said.
The drives taking place this weekend in Manteca include:
*St. Anthony’s School on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. when they will be accepting frozen turkeys and canned goods during the event at their North Street and Powers Avenue campus.
*Spreckels Park Little League Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Yosemite Avenue SaveMart where they will be accepting frozen turkeys.
*Manteca Firefighters Local 1874 is collecting turkeys and other food items needed for Thanksgiving dinners during the 14th annual Fill the Fire Engine Thanksgiving food drive on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Manteca Safeway on South Main Street.
*The annual Stuff the Bus Thanksgiving food drive staged by Manteca Transit and the City of Manteca is set for Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 19-20, at the Manteca Food 4 Less at 131 Spreckels Avenue. A Manteca Transit Bus will be parked in front Food 4 Less both days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to accept frozen turkeys as well as other non-perishable food items.
*Bowlero at Cottage Avenue and Yosemite Avenue is collecting canned goods only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
In addition, frozen turkeys and others items can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p. m. at the Second Harvest location at 1220 Vanderbilt Circle just off of Industrial Park Drive in the Manteca Industrial Park.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mnantecabulletin.com
