Manteca has now delivered for 20 consecutive years on a goal to make sure no struggling families in Manteca, Ripon, and Lathrop go without a traditional Thanksgiving meal Thursday.
The Turkeys R Us drive picked up 816 turkeys Sunday during collection drives conducted by the Manteca Firefighters Association at Safeway, a food bank effort at Food-4-Less, the Spreckels Park Little League, and the Northgate Little League.
The effort needed 1,700 turkeys including 197 turkeys for Thursday’s free community Thanksgiving dinner at Mt. Mike’s Pizza. Manteca Rotary volunteers started brining the 197 turkeys Monday night.
The remaining 1,503 turkeys were delivered to food closets serving the three communities. The demand was down this year. Most of those requesting help at Thanksgiving aren’t on public assistance but rather the working poor, those hit with unexpected expenses such as medical bills, or those in seasonal jobs that temporarily  go away in winter such as construction and agriculture.
The 335 excess turkeys will go toward the Turkeys R Us effort to cover Christmas meals for struggling families in the three communities.  The number needed for Christmas is typically lower than for Thanksgiving.
Frozen turkeys for Christmas can be dropped off at Second Harvest Food Bank at 704 E. Industrial Park Drive in Manteca Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monetary donations can be made online at www.localfoodbank.org or dropped off or mailed to Second Harvest; Coldwell Banker Crossroads Real Estate, 250 Cherry Lane, Suite 105, Manteca, or Beacon Realty 211 E. Center St., Manteca.
If you have questions contact the food bank at 239.2091, LeeAnn McNabb at 815.6754, or Bev Housden at 823-8141.

Free community dinner
is this Thursday
Manteca Sunrise Kiwanis in partnership with Manteca Noon Rotary, Manteca Unified School District, Manteca Police Officers Association, Second Harvest Food Bank and other not for profits are hosting the free  6th Annual “Thanksgiving in Manteca.”
It is designed for those in our community that otherwise would not have a traditional Thanksgiving meal or someone to share this day with.
The volunteers anticipate serving more than 2,500 men, women, and children, at the Manteca Mountain Mikes Pizza, at North Main Street and Louise Avenue, on Thursday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Walk ins are welcome.  Church groups or locations that pre-order meals for their families in need will be able to drive through and pick up those meals. Manteca Sunrise Kiwanis and Manteca Noon Rotary are looking for sponsors and /or donations for this event. 
Any individuals or groups interested should contact Tevani Liotard, (209) 825-4331. Any groups interested in reserving dinners, should contact Jeff Liotard at (209) 823-1166.