Turkey Tuesday helps fill plates this Thanksgiving
On Tuesday, the City of Mesa Engineering Department partnered up with United Food Bank for their 14th annual “Turkey Tuesday” Turkey Drive.
This year, the community came together to donate over 1,000 turkeys and over $17,300 dollars to United Food Bank to support our Holiday Distributions. The cash donations will be used to purchase over 560 turkeys. UFB wants to give a special shoutout to SDP Development for being our top turkey donor, donating 250 turkeys! Carder Construction and McCarthy were among our other top turkey donors.
Desert Financial donated $50,000 to the turkey drive, matching their 2021 donation. The $50k match from Desert Financial allows United Food Bank to buy an additional 1,612 turkeys to distribute to families across Arizona.
This year, more than ever, food drives like this are needed. United Food Bank has seen a 25% increase in families we are serving since April, due to high inflation rates impacting Arizonans. With turkey prices at an all time high, this year’s Thanksgiving meal may look a lot different for many families. “I couldn’t believe the prices of turkeys this year. I donate here every year but this year I could only afford to donate two because of the high costs,” said one donor, apologetically. He was reminded that every donation makes a big difference.
United Food Bank will be hosting a Thanksgiving Food Distribution on Monday, November 21st at the Mesa Convention Center from 9am to 1pm, or until food runs out. The turkeys donated from the Turkey Tuesday Turkey Drive will be given to families in need, along with holiday food bags containing all the “fixins” and fresh produce. United Food Bank is planning to serve over 1,800 Arizona families this Thanksgiving.
United Food Bank would like to say a big thank you to the City of Mesa Engineering Department, Desert Financial, SDP Development, Carder Construction, McCarthy, and everyone else who came out on Tuesday to donate a turkey, canned goods or funds to support families this Thanksgiving. Every donation helps #feedAZ.
Written by Sarah Bathe
