WATERLOO REGION – Everybody deserves a special holiday meal, including a turkey. That’s the inspiration behind the annual Turkey Drive of the Kitchener-Conestoga Rotary Club.
Now in its 12th year, the Rotary Turkey Drive helps ensure that no family is left behind at Christmas time. Every year, more than 4,000 hampers are delivered to local families and individuals in need, with the help of more than 1,000 volunteers.
With the support of fundraising through the Rotary Turkey Drive, those receiving a Christmas hamper can also receive a turkey (including halal turkeys) with their hamper, making it possible for 12,000 people to enjoy the holiday season with their loved ones.
With a goal to raise $400,000 this year, proceeds will be donated to House of Friendship to cover a large portion of the costs for Christmas hampers and turkeys, alongside food provided by the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
“In a community of such wealth and opportunity, it’s hard to believe that 1 in 20 families will need help putting food on the table,” says Mike Klein, Chair, Rotary Turkey Drive. “This community has come together in the past and has stayed true to that ‘barn-raising’ reputation. This year, we need you more than ever. Our Kitchener Conestoga Rotary Club and House of Friendship volunteers are working hard to raise money, pack and deliver Christmas hampers as well as distribute turkeys, but we also need your support. With so many neighbours to help this holiday season, we’re looking for everyone to get involved.”
House of Friendship and the Kitchener-Conestoga Rotary Club are also incredibly grateful for the support from Miovision Technologies Inc. which has generously donated warehouse space at Catalyst 137 (137 Glasgow Street, Kitchener) for this year’s Christmas Hamper program.
Members of the public can sponsor a turkey or hamper for a family in need. Donations to the Turkey Drive can be made online at www.turkeydrive.ca or dropped off at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home at 171 King St. S., Waterloo. A donation of $25 will sponsor a turkey. A $100 donation will feed a family of four with a food hamper including a turkey. Donations of non-perishable food items are also welcome and can be dropped off at the warehouse (137 Glasgow Street, Kitchener).
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