Food banks grappling with turkey shortage in wake of bird flu

Mary Jane Crouch says the disease means fewer turkeys, and higher prices on the ones available.

Creating these traditions can be out of reach for more than 225,000 food-insecure people in United Food Bank’s East Valley and eastern Arizona service area.

The birds will be used to feed families who are struggling to put food on the table during the holiday season. The USDA donated 7,000 chickens, but no turkeys.

The Sumner County Food Bank is a mission outreach of Liberty Baptist Church of Gallatin.

The Food Bank of WNY is asking local residents to help the agency grapple with a major challenge.

The United Food Bank will also hold collection days at the Javalina Volunteer Annex, 358 E. Javalina, Mesa, just south of U.S 60 and Mesa Drive. Clients with last names M-Z will be served this 9-11:30 a.m. Monday, November 23, this year, with those with last names A-L served 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 24.

People are not able to drop off a turkey to they can go onto feeding Chittenden dot org and make a monetary donation.

When a bird flu wiped out 8 million turkeys, food banks across the country expressed concern that many families in financial need might be deprived of a Thanksgiving Day ritual.