2,500 frozen turkeys needed for Larimer County families

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but for thousands of seniors, families and individuals in the community, the holidays add more stress to their daily struggle to make ends meet. To help our neighbors this holiday season, the Food Bank for Larimer County is asking for donations of frozen turkeys to help provide holiday meals for families who are at-risk of hunger.

Each year, the Food Bank collects, stores and then distributes frozen turkeys to agency partners, including Salvation Army, the Vineyard, the Family Center/La Familia and Crossroads Ministry in Estes Park. Partner agencies, in turn, provide holiday meals and/or holiday meal baskets to low-income residents. In addition to turkeys, the Food Bank also collects packaged stuffing, canned yams, canned corn and green beans and cranberries. Donations are especially needed before Thanksgiving Day, but will be accepted now through December 19 at the Food Bank, 1301 Blue Spruce in Fort Collins, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on the north side of the building.

“We are grateful to live in a generous community that always steps up to help our neighbors in need, especially during the holidays,” said Amy Pezzani, executive director of the Food Bank.

“Last month, we provided food to 13,774 people through our Food Share food pantry program. After a leveling off earlier in the year, we are seeing the number of visitors to Food Share increase. We are also seeing the average number of visits each month increase, in fact, that number exceeded four visits per month for the first time. Although the economy appears to be improving in many ways, we hope the community will remember that thousands are still struggling to make ends meet and will offer help this holiday season.”