2000 Turkeys aims to meet goal of providing Thanksgiving dinners
Thanksgiving is three weeks away, and families are preparing to celebrate the holiday with a delicious meal surrounded by family and friends.
But for nearly 19,000 families in Washington County struggling to make ends meet, Thanksgiving can be a stressful time.
The goal of 2000 Turkeys, in partnership with Food Helpers, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and City Mission Boxes of Love, is to make sure that Washington County families in need can enjoy Thanksgiving with loved ones, without worrying about where their holiday dinner will come from.
This year is especially challenging.
Local food banks had already been seeing an increase in the number of people seeking help, and delays in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits have caused those numbers to surge.
And earlier this year, the federal government cut funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to food banks across the country.
So your help is more important than ever as the holidays approach.
The 41st annual 2000 Turkeys campaign is well underway, and thanks to the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and organizations, the grassroots effort has raised $100,000 to date, and its goal is to make sure there is a Thanksgiving dinner on the table of every family in Washington County.
“The demand is high. Our client list has tripled in just the past two weeks,” said Food Helpers President and CEO George Omiros. “This couldn’t have come at a worse time. It’s the holiday season and families are struggling to provide regular meals every day, and then thinking of how to have Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Parents are working extra jobs, trying to get money for Christmas gifts and get through the holidays.”
Omiros meets people every day who share with him their stories about not being able to provide their families with meals.
“It’s critical. Food banks are not designed to be the sole provider of food. We are an ancillary service to the federal government, meant to fill those gaps and provide food in times of need,” said Omiros. “We really need a larger amount of donors to come forward now, and donations of food are great but money is better because we can buy more with it.”
Betty Guerrieri, vice president and marketing and public relations manager for Washington FInancial Bank – which donated $20,000 to the campaign – said 2000 Turkeys “is one of the most special causes we support, and we’re truly humbled to be a part of it and support it each year.”
“There are a lot of people in true and dire need and we are blessed to be able to help,” said Guerrieri. “We are happy and proud to participate in 2000 Turkeys, and to help as many people as we can during the holiday season.”
2000 Turkeys board member Dave Rhome said the group is grateful for neighbors willing to step up and help their neighbors, and thanked everyone who has contributed so far.
If you’re thinking of donating, said Rhome, “Please give now.”
To donate to 2000 Turkeys, please make a check out payable to 2000 Turkeys and mail to 2000 Turkeys, P.O. Box 2000, Washington, Pa., 15301
Thank you to the following for their generous contributions:
Karen Defibaugh in Memory of David Defibaugh – $50
Betty Smith – $100
Bob & Sharon Muntan – $50
Gary Johnson – $500
William Boardley – $100
Terri Hall – $50
Gist Wylie & Linda Hepburn – $50
Ray & Ellen Mazzoni – $50
James Mark Faber – $30
Mark & Caroline Hall – $60
Mary Lounder – $50
Mary Makiel – $25
First United Methodist Church (Washington) – $200
The Pitcock Family in Memory of Bob Pitcock – $30
Eric Held – $200
Francis & Toni King – $30
R. Saut – $50
Carol Smith in Memory of Bernard Smith Sr. – $50
Mary Bier – $50
Patty Coleman & Dove Contracting – $1000
Rosemary Boswell – $20
Susan Whipps – $50
Marsha Knapik – $100
Mary Standiford – $100
Mary Chambers – $100
Marlane Zaken and Family in Memory of Terry Zaken – $50
Julie McLaughlin – $200
Lee Debusk – $30
Marlene Rhoades – $30
Ed & Elaine Morascyzk – $200
Jay & Amy West – $100
Ronald & Debra Tiano – $200
Phyllis Miller – $50
Joann Nadalin – $50
Holly Lincoln – $50
Bill & Linda Hill – $20
William Premro – $30
Harry & Jane Ladley – $100
Charlotte Richards – $100
Carrozza Family in Memory of Andrew, Anne Carrozza & Howdy Naser Sr. – $40
Lynn Lacock – $100
Dan & Joan Brownlee in Memory of Thom Brownlee – $100
Rev. David & Barbara Mason – $100
James Crockett – $20
Donald & Maraquita Weaver – $50
Dominick Trimarki – $200
Nancy Rubis – $100
Tim & Sharon Lemley in Memory of their parents – $100
Janice Nakoneczny – $50
Nancy Zipko – $60
Frances Rugg – $50
Pamela Caldwell – $50
Aryiro Spencer in Memory of Alex Spencer – $50
Stephen Allison – $50
Sharon Conley – $25
Patricia Dietz – $50
Gary & Colleen Craig in Memory of neighbor Donna – $50
Donna Winnett – $100
Juanita Montalvo – $20
Sandra Thomas – $75
Bill & Susan Budavich – $50
Carolyn Casciola – $50
Linda LaRocks – $100
Patricia Kunkle – $20
David Richards – $50
Cheryl McMillen – $200
Pat Braddock Steiner in memory of Mary, Jim, & Jesse Braddock and Mary Lan Beally – $50
W. Thomas Mainwaring – $100
Nancy Britt – $20
Timothy & Theresa Dunlap – $5000
Saundra White – $40
Thomas Martin – $50
Jack Grandel in Memory of Scot & Helen Grandel – $100
Patricia Ann Sirilla in Memory of John & Eleanor Sirilla – $100
Albert Devenny Jr. – $50
Carol Kabay – $100
Miriam Priano – $25
Terri Seiler – $50
Gloria Penderville – $50
Mary Jo Spina in Memory of Frank & Jeremy Spina – $200
Ruth Blair – $20
Tamara Giorgi – $25
Birdie Crawford & Daughter – $50
Dennis Bell – $25
Leonard & Eileen Laabs – $200
James Hands in Memory of wife Dorothy – $50
Terry & Linda Belcher – $50
Walter Lerch – $50
Anita S. Price -$50.00
St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church – $250
David & Barbara Castora – $20
Knights of Columbus Washington Council 1083 – $200