MOSES LAKE - Samaritan Healthcare is making Thanksgiving special for families this year with their 11th annual turkey drive.

The turkey drive takes place Nov. 17-19 at Safeway, 601 S Pioneer Way, in Moses Lake.

Samaritan employees will be at each Safeway door informing customers about the donation process.

Customers can purchase a turkey or pre-bagged food and drop it off as they leave, said Samaritan community relations coordinator Connie Opheikens.

The food is donated to the Moses Lake Food Bank.

"There's a lot of people in town that have an overabundance and they want to share with those that don't have anything," said Opheikens.

In 2009, Samaritan raised 532 turkeys, 19,000 pounds of canned goods, and $11,367 in cash donations. Last year, they raised 304 turkeys, 7,500 pounds of canned goods and $8,769.

"What we're finding is, as the need increases, the donations decrease," said Opheikens. "It's the economy out there, but people are still opening their hearts and giving and that's what counts."

More people are using the Moses Lake Food Bank due to the poor economy, said Peny Archer, operations manager at the food bank.

"This is what floats the holiday season as far as Thanksgiving goes," she said.

The food bank expects to serve about 1,700 families this Thanksgiving, she added.

"I'd really like to thank the community of Moses Lake for their continuing support and the numerous businesses and citizens," she said. "And a special thanks also to Samaritan Healthcare. We couldn't do it without all of us working as a team."

"There is a need out there, but we have a great community that is willing to open their hearts and give," said Opheikens. "We at Samaritan just want to do whatever we can. We'd really like those businesses and community members in town that have donated in the past to know how much we appreciate what they have done for their community."

The Columbia Basin Herald will broadcast the turkey drive live from Safeway Nov. 17 on www.columbiabasinherald.com.