The Franciscan Center announces today that it expects to again provide over 1,700 turkeys to clients on its annual “Turkey Tuesday”, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving that its Food Pantry is open on November 22.
At its start, Turkey Tuesday was just another service day at the Franciscan Center, distributing about 30 turkeys. The effort has grown into an event of it’s own over the past 17 years: “our largest usage day for our Food Pantry is always the Tuesday before Thanksgiving,” explains Tony Ley, executive director of The Franciscan Center. “We quadruple our weekly service numbers in one day. Men, women, and children will line up around the building at 4:30 a.m. in the cold of late November even though we do not open for distribution until 9:00 a.m.”
This event is community-driven, and the Franciscan Center relies on donations from the community to make this annual event a reality. So, to help meet this need, the Franciscan Center is asking for your donation of a turkey… or two.
“For my family,” explains Sally Ley, founder of the Franciscan Center, “memories of Thanksgiving often focus on family and friends gathered around the dinner table, enjoying the wonderful feast prepared them. For many of our clients, this is more of a dream than a reality.”
Those wanting to help with Turkey Tuesday have two options: drop off turkeys or donate $14 for the organization to work with area partners and purchase a turkey. “We need nearly the equivalent of $25,000-worth of turkeys to meet our expected need,” stresses Tony. “A gift of $140 will help purchase 10 turkeys; $1,400 will fund 100 turkeys. Please think of us as you start shopping this weekend for your own Thanksgiving celebration and consider purchasing a 2nd turkey for someone else’s family table.”
The organization has already received 200 turkeys donated by Tom Didier Meats; drop off sites for the remaining need of turkeys and donations are the following:
- Their main offices at 1015 E Maple Grove Avenue from 9a – 4p M-F and 8a – 11a on Saturday.
- Their Family Thrift Store at 925 E Coliseum between Parnell and Clinton streets from 9a – 8p M-F and 9a – 6p on Saturday.
Visit these sites; contact the Franciscan Center at 260-744-3977; send your check to 1015 E Maple Grove Ave, Fort Wayne, 46806; or visit our website at www.thefranciscancenter.org to make an online donation, and help make a holiday for others on November 22.
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