MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It’s been a busy week for volunteers for local food pantries.
They have been picking up turkeys and non-perishables from the Mid-South Food Bank.
Everything they pick up will go to needy families.
Charlotte Prather is on dialysis and out of work, so something like a turkey donation goes a long way.
“The companies that came together give us a turkey every year and it’s kind of routine thing for them and it really helps. It really does because everything’s so high priced come the holidays,” said Prather.
That’s why some families in need will go without.
The Mid-South Food Bank is experiencing the worst turkey shortfall for the first time in several years.
“Back in the summer time there was a case of bird flu throughout the country and that affected the supply, and ultimately the cost, of turkeys for Thanksgiving,” explained Andrew Bell with the Mid-South Food Bank.
The Food Bank isn’t even close to meeting its goal of 5,000 turkeys.
So far, they have received only 2,000 and the deadline to drop off a turkey is today at 5 p.m.
“It makes me feel terrible, really does, because there’s a lot of folks out there struggling.”
The Food Bank is depending on other donations such as non perishable food items and hens to get them through the holiday.
The price of a turkey is about $20.
You can still give cash donation online to the Food Bank throughout the holidays.
Click here to be taken to their website.