More than 1,000 Turkeys Still Needed By Saturday for Foodshare Distribution

Area residents donated more than 2,000 turkeys during the Jack Bannan Memorial Turkey Trot Wednesday. 

Throughout the day, shoppers, businesses and others donated turkeys as a core of volunteers worked at a central collection area at Henry James Memorial School in Simsbury. The turkeys along with non-perishables and cash donation go to Foodshare as part of its Thanksgiving Drive. 

The local drive was started by the late Simsbury resident "Jack" Bannan Sr., who died earlier this year. 

Thursday evening, officials said nearly 2,100 turkeys had been collected. Other donations were still being counted. 

"It was a pretty good day," event coordinator and driver Marianne Bannan said. "My father was looking down on us and giving us some pretty good weather." 

Bannan said her father started the event in 1993. She said she wanted to thank the donors and volunteers, including some new ones this year. One of her favorite aspects of the event is that so many schools and other youth-oriented groups participate. 

"That was by far the most important thing to him," she said. "That's the high point. That's continuing and it's a great legacy." 

Foodshare is looking for another 1,100 turkeys by Friday.

With the Turkey Trot and another major event done, Foodshare hopes that the holiday spirit will kick into high gear as many of the town drives get underway. Hartford, Glastonbury, West Hartford, and Wethersfield are all hosting Turkey and Thirty drives in support of Foodshare. The food bank’s Bloomfield distribution center also accepts donations and offers extended hours of operation through Tuesday, Nov. 26.  For more information on how you can help, or for a complete list of collection sites, visit www.aturkeyand30.org. 

Other Drives:

• West Hartford Town-Wide Drive: Friday, Nov. 22 from 8am-4pm @ the Town Center Building (29 South Main Street)
• Hartford West End: Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 23-34 from 9am-4pm @ Shop Rite (46 Kane Street) 
• Wethersfield: Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 23-34 from 10am-4pm @ Wethersfield Volunteer Ambulance (206 Prospect Street)
• Glastonbury: Sunday, Nov. 24 from 10am-4pm @ Stop & Shop and Whole Foods locations in Glastonbury.