BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Some companies in Chittenden County are issuing a challenge to the corporate community to help the Emergency Food Shelf buy more turkeys.
As of Thursday morning, the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf in Burlington had zero turkeys to give away to families in need.
So far, seven Vermont companies have stepped forward donating $500 each, all earmarked to buy turkeys. The companies are encouraging others to do the same.
The food shelf hopes to give away 2,700 turkeys to families in need. But the organization says the election season and natural disasters have spread donations thin in an already struggling economy.
"I was not surprised, but I think when it comes down to the end, people will step up," said Kathy LaCross of the Northfield Savings Bank.
"This is an opportunity that came up, and we cannot pass. We do not have the right to let families not have food on Thanksgiving," said Robin Sutphen of Boloco.
Food shelf officials say dollar donations can go further than turkey donations because they can buy the birds at a discounted rate through the Vermont Food Bank.
To help, visit the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf Donation Page -- https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=6873
In the Dedication segment-- click on behalf of, and write-in "The Turkey Drive"
