Stu and Jan Bartleson helped jump-start the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s annual turkey drive by donating 100 frozen turkeys during the big kick-off event in Santa Maria on Nov. 1.
The Bartlesons weren’t the only givers who boosted the beginning of the turkey drive; Marlena and Matt Walker of Walker and Associates chipped in, too. The couple gave $2,000 to the drive as one of its first donations. Wells Fargo is sponsoring the turkey drive with a $25,000 one-to-one matching grant.
Both monetary donations as well as turkey and chicken donations can be made during the drive. The Foodbank’s goal is to raise $25,000 to support holiday distribution and collect 3,000 turkeys in order to help families carry on the traditions of a warm Thanksgiving meal with loved ones. The drive will run until Nov. 22.
“Thanksgiving is our country’s most important reminder of the benefits of coming together around a meal,” Erik Talkin, the Foodbank’s chief executive officer, said in a press release. “With support from the community and sponsors like Wells Fargo, [the] Foodbank strives to make this time of year a joyous one for all, especially those who might otherwise have gone without.”
Wells Fargo Bank will match every turkey donation at $15 each. If an individual commits to donating 100 turkeys, the Bartlesons have said they’ll find one of their friends to match the donation.
Drop-offs can be made at the Santa Maria facility, 490 W. Foster Road, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays with extended hours until 5:30 p.m. beginning Nov. 18. The Foodbank will also open its facilities for a one-day event on Sat., Nov. 16, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to enable those who can’t stop by during regular weekday hours to make a donation.
Donations can also be made electronically at secure.qgiv.com/for/fosbc/event/39885.
Staff writer Camillia Lanham compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at [email protected].
