Gilroy/Morgan Hill
– With just two weeks left before Thanksgiving, the Salvation
Army and Saint Joseph’s Family Center are considerably behind on
the amount of turkeys and food they require to help local families
in need.
Gilroy/Morgan Hill – With just two weeks left before Thanksgiving, the Salvation Army and Saint Joseph’s Family Center are considerably behind on the amount of turkeys and food they require to help local families in need.
“Right now we are short, very short,” said Major Carlos Gonzzatti, the head of the Fifth Street Salvation Army.
The group hopes to distribute 250 turkeys accompanied by a box of canned and packaged food with “everything you need for Thanksgiving,” according to Gonzzatti.
So far, the Salvation Army has 30 turkeys and about two dozen holiday boxes stacked in its community kitchen. Gonzzatti said he has yet to receive calls for the first round of food and toy pickups from local stores and businesses. The group has placed 40 large barrels, decorated in green and red holiday designs, in a dozen or so businesses and stores in Gilroy and Morgan Hill.
Saint Joseph’s Family Center, another group collecting food, turkeys and toys for the holiday season, is a little more anxious about its collection rate this season. As of Wednesday, the group also had received about 25 to 30 turkeys, far short of the 1,000 they will need from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
“We’ve signed up more than 500 families,” said Dave Cox, executive director at Saint Joseph’s. “We’re about 25 percent where we want to be. We’re certainly concerned but we’re not panicking yet. It seems like the closer we get to the final day, the community seems to respond. We’re still anticipating a couple of donations that have been promised.”
In addition to food, the group is collecting toys for children 10 years old and younger.
Representatives from both charities have met to avoid duplicating their efforts, according to Cox.
“We met with them to make sure we cover everyone in need in the community,” he said.
Both groups will continue collecting food beyond Thanksgiving, in preparation for the December holidays. The Salvation Army will hold a second food and toy drive on Dec. 10.
Although Gonzzatti would have liked to see more turkeys and cans in his group’s pantry by this time, he remains hopeful as the holidays approach.
“The people of Gilroy and Morgan Hill have always been very generous,” he said. “No family we serve has been able to say we didn’t receive something for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
Cox also remained optimistic: “The community continues to support us with great compassion. We get nervous, but somehow, someway, it always seems like people respond.”
The Salvation Army is accepting donations of turkeys, food, and toys at 200 Fifth Street. Food also can be dropped off at Saint Joseph’s Family Center at 7950 Church St.
Donate a big bird at:
The Salvation Army, 200 Fifth St.,
848-5373
St. Joseph’s Family Center at 7950 Church St., 842-6662
