Turkey Drive: Turkey Bucks return at participating grocery stores

PISMO BEACH, Calif. -- The popular Turkey Bucks promotion has returned to several local Central Coast grocery stores, offering people a quick and easy way to contribute to the ongoing NewsChannel 12 Turkey Drive.

While checking out at the front counter, customers are able to purchase a Turkey Drive of any monetary size. That dollar amount will go directly to support the Turkey Drive.

The Turkey Drive directly supports thousands of clients with Good Samaritan Shelter in Santa Barbara County and SLO Food Bank in San Luis Obispo County.

Turkey Bucks purchased in San Luis Obispo County will be directed towards SLO Food Bank, while those purchased in Santa Barbara County will benefit Good Samaritan Shelter.

Participating grocery stores includes:

• Grocery Outlet-San Luis Obispo (1314 Madonna Rd.)
• Grocery Outlet-Arroyo Grande (1574 W. Branch St. Ste. C)
• Grocery Outlet-Los Osos (1130 Los Osos Valley Rd.)
• California Fresh Market-San Luis Obispo (771 Foothill Blvd.)
• California Fresh Market-Pismo Beach (555 5 Cities Dr.)
• Grocery Outlet-Lompoc (316 E Ocean Ave)

In San Luis Obispo County, California Fresh Market has been selling Turkey Bucks for more than two weeks. So far, the promotion has been a huge success.

"It's going amazing," said Chloe Goldenberg with California Fresh Market. "We have surpassed last year, what we did last year. People are really in the giving mood, especially with what we just went through in the pandemic, and it really brightens people's faces when they know that everything that they donate to the store that we match."

At the front the Pismo Beach market, hundreds of Turkey Bucks can been seen taped across walls, poles and check out stands.

"They are literally everywhere," said Goldenberg. "We are running out of room, but that's a great thing. I'm sure I'll find a spot for them all."

In addition to customer donations, California Fresh Market is also going to contribute to the cause as well.

"California Fresh is going to match every single donation that is donated from everyone," said Goldenberg. "We're really enjoying everyone's donation. It's a really good positive."

On the final day of the Turkey Drive, which is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 16, California Fresh Market in Pismo Beach will serve as a collection site for SLO Food Bank.

People who wish to donate a turkey, non-perishable food or monetary contributions have the opportunity to visit the site between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

WILD 106 FM will broadcast live from the donation site during the afternoon hours until the conclusion in the eveving.

Other San Luis Obispo County sites include Vons in Atascadero and the SLO Food Bank warehouse on Kendall Road in San Luis Obispo.

Dropoff locations in Santa Barbara County includes the NewsChannel 12 studio in Santa Maria (1211 W. McCoy Lane) and Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in Lompoc.

Hot Hits Fuego 97.1 FM will broadcast live during the morning hours in Santa Maria and will provide free giveaways for people that donate.

Donations made in Santa Barbara County benefits Good Samaritan clients, while those made in San Luis Obispo County benefits SLO Food Bank clients.

For more information about the NewsChannel 12 Turkey Drive or to donate, click here.