ALLENTOWN, Pa. – At Coca-Cola Park on Friday, thanks could be heard with the pickup and drop off of every turkey. Fitting, for the upcoming holiday.

As members of the community donated turkeys, 24 different organizations picked them up, to give them back out to those in need. One of those was Cay Galgon Life House, a women’s shelter in Bethlehem.

“We provide diapers, wipes, baby clothing, hygiene products, food and formula,” Kaitlin VanBuskirk, picking up for the nonprofit, said. “So when we have access to food, it helps us to give just a little more support to the families that need it.”

It’s the ninth annual Bob Price Memorial Turkey Drive, named after the banker with Provident Bank, who started it all. 

“It’s so funny,” Andrea Reid, Provident Bank’s Corporate Event Manager, said. “I think the first year we were so excited to get more than 50.”

Now, partnering with nonprofit, New Bethany as well as several other organizations, and hosted by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, it’s getting bigger each year.

“It’s been a thrill to see each year more and more turkeys donated annually,” Kurt Landes, the Pigs’ president and general manager, said.

Even by 1 p.m. on Friday, they already surpassed last year’s grand total of 1693 turkeys, with 1713.

Organizers say they’re getting more, because the community needs more.

“We know what sort of times we’re in right now and food insecurity is such a problem,” Reid said. “Not just in our region, but everywhere.”

“With the rise in food costs, the recent cut in SNAP benefits, we have seen food insecurity at its all-time high,” Crystal Williams, New Bethany’s Development Director, said. “Even with SNAP being restored, reinstated, many have still not seen restoration.”

And those who can, in the community are showing up. Allan and Patty Ruth, from Bethlehem Township, were among them.

“It’s just bad times for people right now, so we want to do a little thing to help out,” Allan said.

All of this is why the turkey-drive team set their greatest goal yet: hoping to reach 2,000 turkeys this year.

“Hopefully they make it,” Allan said.

And they did! Actually, they surpassed it, with a grand total of 2,062 by end of day.

“Grateful,” Williams said. “I am so proud to see the way the community showed up in the manner and in the numbers and in the ability to contribute the way they did.”

If you weren’t able to make it out to donate today, you can still do so here: https://newbethany.org/