ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – A nonprofit is helping families in need put a delicious meal on the table this Thanksgiving.
Mission of Hope Delta County is hosting its third annual Turkey Drive.
“One thing we always try to do at Mission of Hope is try to hit some needs in areas that maybe would really be a blessing to families,” said Director Paul Culbertson. “Thanksgiving’s one of those times of year that a lot of families in our area, they just struggle.”
Families can register in advance to pick up a turkey on Friday, November 22, during Wellspring Community Church’s Friendsgiving celebration. The turkeys will be free of charge, thanks in part to the generosity of a local business.
“This year, we partnered with Meijer, and they were able to give us all the turkeys at their wonderful sale rate at Thanksgiving time,” Culbertson said. “So far, we’re picking up 100 turkeys to give out to families in our local area.”
That number is up from last year, showing just how great the need has become in Delta County.
“I think that there’s a lot that goes into that,” Culbertson said. “Grocery prices, energy prices, there’s a lot of things that are up this year. We’ve seen a lot more families, some that maybe wouldn’t have normally needed help who are just in that position where everything gets tight this time of year.”
Culbertson says he knows what it’s like to be in such a position. He also knows what a blessing it is to have someone offer kindness and generosity during those times.
“I’ll never forget the year that we almost didn’t have Thanksgiving when I was a child,” he said. “Somebody knocked on our door and left, and there was a basket. It had a turkey in it and some other things. Thanksgiving was always a very special meal for our family, but things were really, really tight at that time in our lives. That just helped us continue that family tradition, and we hope that that’s what it does for everybody else.”
Culbertson encourages anyone in need to sign up by the end of the day on Wednesday to receive a turkey.
“To be able to give them that turkey and then all they have to do is get the stuff that goes along with it, it just goes a long way to help a home be a home at Thanksgiving for a lot of families,” Culbertson said.
To register for the Mission of Hope Turkey Drive, click here or call (906) 241-2334. Pickup will be between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
