Rescue Mission Needs 800 Turkeys for Holiday Season

Thanksgiving may be five weeks away, but the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission is in need of 800 turkeys.

In the partially empty walk-in freezer, Daniel Osti searches for the lone turkey.

“Here we go,” he said as he pulled the turkey out of a box.

One down, 799 to go.

The Rescue Mission needs 800 turkeys so it can serve up enough food for 300 people during Thanksgiving. The birds will also be used through the end of the year.

“Turkey enchiladas, turkey stew, just like shrimp but turkey. Turkey gumbo, turkey a la mode,” Osti said with a laugh.

It will be the main dish for more than 22,000 meals that the men in the recovery program prepare.

“I definitely get rewarded from it because I get to see all my hard work go to good use and I get good reviews from the homeless and I get good reviews from the residents here. It’s rewarding,” said Eric Duncan, a cook in the treatment program.

Rescue Mission President Rolf Geyling is a fan of the food that comes out of the kitchen.

“My family eats Thanksgiving at the Rescue Mission. We have for years. It’s fantastic food and we’re just so fortunate and it’s such a privileged to be able to serve it to people who would otherwise go without,” he said.

During last year’s feast, more than 300 people got a plate, seconds and even a to-go box packed with turkey and all the fixings.

“It’s delicious. It’s made with love,” said Osti.

For more information on how you can donate, click here or you can drop off donations at 534 East Yanonali Street, Santa Barbara.