Phoenix food bank’s giveaway draws lines for Thanksgiving in a box

PHOENIX — A Valley food bank’s annual Thanksgiving giveaway drew carloads and long lines of foot traffic of grateful takers Monday morning in Phoenix.

People began lining up at St. Mary’s Food Bank near 31st Avenue and Thomas Road during the cool, damp early hours.

St Mary's volunteers putting together #Thanksgiving food boxes for the needy .@KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/iJdTb6zdI8

— Kathy Cline (@ClineKathleen) November 21, 2016

St Mary's Food Bank collecting Turkeys this morning, check out this picture at the drop off location at 20th Street & Thomas pic.twitter.com/XjyumQgnjj

— Detour Dan (@DetourDanKTAR) November 21, 2016

Gov. Doug Ducey and some of his staffers showed up later to help other volunteers pack or load the food boxes.

Thanks to @StMarysFoodBank for having us this morning. Get out and volunteer this holiday season! #ServingArizona pic.twitter.com/77npqmzoxX

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) November 21, 2016

Contents of each box included eggs, a package of instant mashed potatoes, cakes and fruit.

The food bank prepared more than 10,000 meals but said it still needed donations of about 1,000 turkeys.

St. Mary’s held a turkey drive Nov. 19 at select Albertson’s and Safeways in advance of the turkey giving.

Over the weekend, an anonymous individual donor contributed 32 turkeys and Phoenix-based movers U-Haul donated 700 turkeys.

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