KCOY Turkey Drive a huge success thanks to generous community support

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- ​​​​​​The annual KCOY Turkey Drive proved once again be a big success.

Over the course of 13 hours, donations rolled in throughout the Central Coast at six drop-off locations.

Preliminary numbers show 927 turkeys were collected at two northern Santa Barbara County locations, while more than 1,442 turkeys came in at four San Luis Obispo County sites. Last year, 544 turkeys were collected in northern Santa Barbara County and 1,300 turkeys came in across San Luis Obispo County.

In addition, more than $18,000 was donated to Good Samaritan Shelter, while financial contributions to Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County will be totaled by Friday.

Turkeys and monetary donations collected in Santa Maria and Lompoc benefit Good Samaritan Shelter, while those in San Luis Obispo County go to the Food Bank Coalition of SLO County.

Starting at 6 a.m., donations poured in from families, individuals, groups, schools, churches and other organizations.

The KCOY studios in Santa Maria kicked off the event with live broadcasts during its morning newscast from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m.

It included live radio broadcasts by MEGA 97.1 and La Buena radio stations.

A second Santa Barbara County location was held for the second straight year at Grocery Outlet Bargain Market.

In San Luis Obispo County, drop-off locations included California Fresh Market in Pismo Beach, Food Bank headquarters and Vons in San Luis Obispo and Vons in Atascadero.

Live radio broadcasts by Dimes Media family of stations, including WILD 106, 95.3 The Beach, B98.5, Alt 93.7 and KPIG, highlighted the Pismo Beach location.

With the turkeys now collected, they'll soon be distributed to hundreds of families and individuals in need throughout the Central Coast.

In addition to their own clients, both Good Samaritan and Food Bank will also share the donations with several other local non-profit organizations.

Food Bank works with about 80 partner agencies in SLO County, while Good Samaritan will distribute donations to several other area agencies, such as Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley and Central Coast Rescue Mission.

Thanks to the tremendous generosity of so many on the Central Coast, the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday will be one of appreciation and gratitude!