On November 19 from 9 am until 7 pm, White Center Food Bank the Turkey Drive to collect donated frozen turkeys and chickens for Thanksgiving holiday distribution.

Warehouse Manager Joe Rice said the collection was going, "Great but if we could get more turkeys and more items for the holiday season we'd really appreciate it." He pointed out that stuffing, peanut butter, rice, yams, sweet potatoes, and "anything people would use at a holiday dinner," are what they are seeking.

The Food bank expects to serve over 1,000 families for Thanksgiving.

"The White Center Food Bank has seen record numbers of families this year. We did a senior distribution on Thursday and we saw 350 seniors, just on that one day."

The food bank is also looking forward to Christmas and doing another drive then but the need continues and any kind of food or monetary contribution to help hungry families in White Center would be appreciated.

This year’s turkey shortage combined with high wholesale prices (currently $1.25 a pound or more) make it difficult for the food bank to purchase turkeys at normally deep discounts. Local sales and deals on turkeys are now posted on the White Center Food Bank’s facebook page. Other meal items that are needed include: olives, cranberry sauce, pickles, cookie or cake mixes, cool whip or whipping cream, pumpkin, any type of canned milk, muffin mixes and pie crust mixes.

To donate, any turkey or chicken should be frozen (ideally 12 to 20 pounds) and brought to the White Center Food Bank located at 10829 – 8th Avenue SW will be open November 19 until 7pm to accept any donation. Other times to drop-off are available; please call 206-762-2848. Volunteers are still needed to assist with holiday distribution as well including Monday through Wednesday, November 21-23 from 12:30-3:30pm.

For more information on the White Center Food Bank: www.whitecenterfoodbank.org.