TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) \u2014 Families across the Big Bend are set to receive Thanksgiving meals thanks to an outpouring of community generosity.<\/p>\n
Donations from neighbors, organizations and nonprofits helped prepare turkeys and full meal boxes for distribution.Families can pick up a turkey and boxed meal Saturday at the Governor\u2019s Square Mall Sears lot beginning at 7 a.m.Watch the video below for details on other food pantries.<\/p>\n
Community support sets the stage for major Thanksgiving meal distribution<\/p>\n
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:<\/p>\n
The Big Bend is proving once again that when the need is great, this community shows up. I am neighborhood reporter Lentheus Chaney in Southwest Tallahassee, and the response to our WTXL Turkey Drive is one of the strongest we have ever seen.<\/p>\n
From the moment the sun came up Thursday morning, neighbors lined up with frozen turkeys in hand, determined to make sure families across our region have a meal on the table this Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n
By the end of the day, the results were remarkable.<\/p>\n
We did not just reach our goal of 1,000 turkeys and $50,000 \u2014 we passed it.<\/p>\n
One thousand one hundred eighty turkeys collected, and more than $87,000 raised.<\/p>\n
Second Harvest CEO Monique Ellsworth says this kind of turnout is only possible because the whole community came together.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that the loss of SNAP and people really thinking about what that meant for families really bubbled up like this response is empathy. So I imagine that’s why we saw such a huge out-pour of support,\u201d Ellsworth said.<\/p>\n
Neighbors, public safety officers, local businesses, and a $25,000 match from the nonprofit Creative Kids helped make the difference.<\/p>\n
Those donations now move into the next phase.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, families can pick up a turkey and a full boxed meal at the Governor\u2019s Square Mall Sears parking lot.<\/p>\n
Distribution begins at 7 a.m. and will continue until supplies run out.<\/p>\n
There is a limit of two per vehicle.<\/p>\n
Across the region, local food pantries are also stepping in to meet the need throughout the weekend.<\/p>\n
Manna on Meridian at 220 North Meridian Road will serve Saturday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and Sunday from noon to 1 p.m.<\/p>\n
Grace Mission Episcopal Church at 303 West Brevard Street will serve Sunday at 5 p.m.<\/p>\n
Alarm Mission Possible Enrichment Center at 2532 West Tharpe Street will distribute from 9 to 11 Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
These are only a few of the organizations giving food on a regular basis.<\/p>\n
For a full list of food pantries and more details about Saturday\u2019s turkey distribution, visit WTXL.tv.<\/p>\n
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