Urgent call for donated turkeys underway in Santa Barbara County
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Food Bank of Santa Barbara County has an urgent call out for donated turkeys along with hams and chickens to meet the needs of those who are food insecure this Thanksgiving season.
The annual turkey drive began November 1. It ends November 22. Currently the donations are only at six percent of the goal of 4000.
The demand for food and at this time that includes the seasonal turkeys, is up 40 percent from last year.
Countywide the demand for assistance is up in part because wages are not keeping up with inflation.
“We are seeing family expenses outpace work wages which is creating a spike in the number of people needing to use Foodbank services,” says Foodbank CEO Erik Talkin.
He says, currently, one in four people in Santa Barbara County are facing food insecurity with 38% of those children.
Leana Orsua with the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County says many other food items will also help such as "beans, canned goods, pastas, peanut butter anything that comes in a can that can stay on a shelf for awhile."
Stores like Grocery Outlet bargain market has a discounted turkey when you make a $50-dollar purchase.
"They get the turkey for $7.99 that's a $21.00 dollar discount. That's huge, " said Santa Barbara Store manager Mike Callagy.
Residents who want to help may drop off turkeys, chickens, and hams at the Foodbank’s warehouses Monday through Friday at our Santa Barbara and Santa Maria warehouses.
Drop-Off Locations
Santa Barbara: 4554 Hollister Ave, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 3 pm.
Santa Maria: 490 W. Foster Road, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 3 pm.
Other locations will be added on the website for the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County.
