Food Bank Says Little Chance of Turkeys for Thanksgiving

by David Croyle

Families who depend on the local food banks to supplement their holiday menu noticed one thing missing from their bag of groceries this week - no turkey voucher!

Robin Rainey, Director of Family Services for the Armstrong County Community Action Agency, coordinates distribution for 19 food banks around the county. She said the bulk of the turkeys received the last several years came from a food drive conducted by Pittsburgh media station KDKA. When Community Action did not receive an allotment this year, Rainey picked up the phone to find out what happened.

“I called them to find out, because usually we get them in time to distribute in November. They said, as they come in, they ship them out to the food banks. They are slowly trickling in. Whatever KDKA gets, they move on. They haven’t got enough yet to pass on to us.”

Rainey was keeping her fingers crossed that our area could still receive some before Christmas.

“If we get them they will definitely go out in December’s food bank (distribution)!”

While local churches, civic groups, and individuals have donated to the turkey fund in the past, Rainey said donations have never actually covered the entire cost of the providing nearly 1,400 turkeys to low-income families.

“The donations we get from the public - that supplements it, because we never get enough from KDKA. It was never enough to cover the whole county. 1,378 were the families that were registered this month.”

Food distribution normally takes place the last week of the month, but was moved to the third week in November and December because of the holidays. Of the 19 food banks around the county, 14 distributed yesterday with the remainder scheduled later this week.

Rainey said the items vary with each distribution.

“We always try to get them a pasta, sauce, milk, and cereal.”

Turkey distribution has been a long-standing service Community Action has done in service to the local food banks.

“This is the first time to my knowledge that we have not done it in November,” Rainey said. “When I got my last truck order last week, I called and they said, as they trickle in, we put them out to the food banks. Right now, they are trying to gather enough to send us 1,400 - enough for our families, which in the past, there has never been enough. We have always had to supplement. As they come in, they are putting them out to the food banks. Whatever order we are going to be in, I don’t know.”

Donations are still being received for the turkey fund. Checks can be mailed to Community Action at 705 Butler Road, Kittanning 16201 and made payable to”ACCAA”. Questions may be directed to 724-548-5764.