Mesa, Phoenix food banks hosting turkey drives to feed families at Thanksgiving

PHOENIX — Valley food banks are hollering for turkeys to help feed struggling families as Thanksgiving Day rapidly approaches.

The city of Mesa and United Food Bank hope to collect 1,500 turkeys and $10,000 in cash donations during its upcoming Great Turkey Tuesday, while St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix needs 9,000 of the big birds to reach its goal and plans a Super Saturday Turkey Drive for Nov. 20.

Another charitable group, the Phoenix Rescue Mission, is holding Frozen Turkey Saturday this weekend with the intention of stockpiling over 1,500 turkeys.

The drive-thru event at the Hope for Hunger Food Bank near 55th Avenue and Bethany Home in Glendale will run Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

St. Mary’s Food Bank spokesman Jerry Brown said the organization gave out about 12,000 turkeys in three days leading to Thanksgiving a year ago. So far, the supply is at 3,000 turkeys.

“People have been very good donating in the past. We just need to remind them that now we’re two weeks out,” Brown told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Tuesday.

“This is a great time to make a donation and to have your family help a family.”

The food bank provides full meals for families and also is in need of canned goods and cash at its two locations, 31st Avenue and Thomas Road and Dysart and Bell roads in Surprise.

Hours for drop-offs at the two sites are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays up to Nov. 24, but locations for the Super Saturday drive will be 19 Albertsons and Safeway stores from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In Mesa, donors will be able to drop off turkeys at the Mesa Convention Center near Center Street and University Drive, where a United Food Bank truck will be collecting from 7 a.m. to noon on Tuesday.

“Turkey Tuesday is a great way to kick off the season of gratitude, and I have no doubt Mesa residents and businesses will extend their generosity in helping to reach this year’s collection goal,” Mayor John Giles said in a press release.

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