Southwest Florida Food Bank Faces Turkey Shortage

A southwest Florida food pantry says it is short thousands of turkey donations this year.

The Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida relies on donations of turkeys and chickens to feed 15,000 families for Thanksgiving. The USDA donated 7,000 chickens, but no turkeys. Last year, the agency gave 3,000 turkeys.

In 2014, the community donated a total of 1,300 turkeys. But as of last Thursday, the food bank had only received 78.

The News-Press reports the pantry will use a grant to buy 2,000 turkeys. Meanwhile, they hope donations will pour in before their Nov. 20 deadline.

The loss means the pantry can't donate to 150 local agencies, including the Community Cooperative which typically provides Thanksgiving dinners for 500 Meals on Wheels clients and serves another 350 in its soup kitchen.