Turkeys and More is over the top, in time for Thanksgiving,

”We are doing great,” said Turkeys and More coordinator Evalyn Adams. “We recently received word of a $5,000 donation from STCU, so this will put us over our budget of $40,000 by several thousand. This is good news though as the need is great this year.”

The group also plans to give gift cards to people who drive through next week to pick up their turkeys.

“We will be able to provide more than we had originally planned,” Adams said. 

It has a new sponsor this year, Heart Reach, Inc., the nonprofit food bank arm of Heart of the City Church. 

Turkeys and More collected 1,800 frozen birds, which have been allocated in several ways. It’s estimated they will feed 7,200 adults and children.

Adams said nearly 650 individuals and families are expected to go through the distribution next week at Heart of the City Church. People will need reservations, so don't just show up, as the turkeys are accounted for.

However, because Turkeys and More had quite a few turkeys left after the deadline for the reservations, many are being disbursed by volunteers to other food bank outlets and agencies that serve vulnerable people. 

“Many of those have been unable to have their usual fundraising activities so it has been a blessing for them to receive the turkeys,” Adams said.

The Athol food bank will receive about 200 turkeys, as it services people in the northern part of Kootenai County. 

Some turkeys will be given to the Community Action Partnership food bank.

CAP food bank manager Darrell Rickard said he expects to have turkeys and other holiday foods around Thanksgiving and they should be equipped to help anyone who turns to them.

Adams was thankful that many local people and businesses donated to make the fundraiser a success. Turkeys and More also received grants from service organizations. 

“It was a little bit of a struggle this year, but our wonderful community responded,” Adams said. “We are so thankful that we will be able to do a good job of fighting hunger and feeding hope for this Thanksgiving."