Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) – The Table Community Food Pantry is giving away hundreds of turkeys away on Saturday to help those in need. The pantry is celebrating one year in service this weekend and plans to nearly triple last year’s attendance on Saturday.
The pantry has already held 17 giveaways and other events already this year. The need for help grew so exponentially that the pantry started doing two per month back in March amidst the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to co-director James Bonney.
“We started with one giveaway per month, and when we realized the demand was growing, we increased it to two giveaways per month,” Bonney said.
The turkey giveaway helped 250 people in need last year. Organizers are prepared to serve triple that number on Saturday.
“We went out and bought 660 turkeys,” Bonney said. “The church donated the balance of about 150, so we have almost 800 turkeys ready to be given away.”
The food pantry had walk up service last year where volunteers welcomed people with open arms to get their free turkeys. This year, organizers will have drive-up service, and Bonney said this way of doing things is actually better for everyone.
“It’s actually a lot better because we can serve a lot more clients faster now, and I think it’s more convenient for the clients if they just drive up, they stay in their car,” Bonney said.” They can stay warm, they can stay cool on the hot days and we bring the food right out to their car and pop their trunk and load it for them and off they go.”
The food pantry has already served over 34,000 people and looks to increase that number even more on Saturday. Bonney said he’s glad he can help people in need amidst difficult times.
“We just want to give back in any way we can. We know the economy is struggling right now, a lot of small businesses are shut down, and a lot of families are struggling,” Bonney said. “So this is our opportunity to do what we can to help our community get through this time.”
The food pantry is teaming up with Living Word Church in Syracuse and several other organizations like Panera Bread. The giveaway will feature turkeys and additional food items like bread and pastries.
The giveaway is on Saturday, Nov. 21, at Living Word Church from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free, and no prior registration is necessary.
