In need of cash, turkey donations

BLOOMFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Charities are feeling the pinch as the Thanksgiving holiday draws nearer, including Foodshare , which still needs thousands of turkeys to help feed those in need.

"I'm feeling desperate. I think somehow people think we have all these turkeys hidden somewhere and we are going to pull them out at the last minute and we don't," Gloria McAdam, the President and CEO of Foodshare.

A van from East Granby is bringing two dozen turkeys destined for a table, thanks to an employee food drive.

"Yeah, well we do what we can," Michael Oakes of Delta Industries said.

Foodshare serves food pantries and soup kitchens in the greater Harford area. This year the need was for 19-thousand turkeys, which is no increase from the year before, but donations are way down.

"The requests are exactly the same number as last year and I felt coming into this was a little piece of good news but virtually every drive we've had this week has come in a little short of last year," McAdam said.

The turkeys are coming in one by one but if they don't get enough, they will have to tell some folks there is no Thanksgiving dinner for them this year.

Some donators who heard how desperate the need is are planning a return trip.

"We have a second shift and there will be another load coming over later this afternoon with our second shift," Oakes said.

Foodshare will be accepting turkeys on site Tuesday and it is possible to donate online.

To make a virtual donation, visit foodshare.org .