Annual News Channel 12 Turkey Drive kicking off to support community members in need
Dave Alley
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The News Channel 12 Turkey Drive kicks off on Monday, starting a four-week campaign to help support thousands of Central Coast families and community members in need.
The annual fundraiser is scheduled to run through Tuesday, Nov. 20 and will once again benefit clients with Good Samaritan Shelter and the SLO Food Bank.
“We are so excited to kick off another season,” said Kirsten Cahoon, Good Samaritan Shelter Homeless Services Director. “It’s our favorite time of the year around Good Samaritan to just really see our community and see how much our community supports us and the people that we serve every day.”
The Turkey Drive has been an important outreach campaign for News Channel 12 for more than 20 years and has helped provide a traditional holiday meal for thousands of families and individuals over the past two decades.
“Giving out turkeys is yes about nutrition, but mainly it’s about dignity and the ability for people to celebrate during a time when people have time loved traditions, that they want to participate in with their families,” said Savannah Colevans, SLO Food Bank Communications Senior Manager. “By donating a turkey, by donating money, that allows us to buy turkeys and you’re really helping people be able to participate, instead of having an empty table.”
Online contributions can be made now through Nov. 20 with donors able to select which non-profit organization they would like to support financially.
“We always encourage folks to donate online,” said. Colevans. “The SLO Food Bank has a lot of purchasing power through food rescue, through buying in bulk through, deals that we get through various connections, and so with your funds, we’re able to multiply them to buy multiple meals with each dollar provided.”
The fundraiser culminates with an all-day collection on Thursday, Nov. 20 with several in-person drop-off locations, including at the News Channel 3-12 Santa Maria station, Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in Lompoc and SLO Food Bank warehouse in San Luis Obispo.
“These donations are so important,” said Cahoon. “Every year the need just grows and the amount of people that are asking us for assistance grows, so we’re really excited to see the community come out like they always do. I am so incredibly grateful every year to see the community and so many familiar faces that have really made this their tradition with their families or their businesses. It’s really beautiful and really shows the season of giving for us. It just really makes me grateful to be part of this amazing community.”
Another way to contribute is through the purchase of a “Turkey Buck” at participating area markets, including California Fresh Market in San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach, and Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo.”
Turkey Bucks purchased in San Luis Obispo County will be directed to the SLO Food Bank, while those in Santa Barbara County will go to Good Samaritan Shelter.
For more information about the NewsChannel 12 Turkey Drive or to donate, click here.