Salvation Army has few turkeys for Thanksgiving dinners, needs 500

CREATED Nov. 5, 2012 - UPDATED: Nov. 9, 2012

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Web Producer: Mekita Rivas

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - The Salvation Army is in need of donations of frozen turkeys, frozen pre-baked pies, brown sugar and flour for this year's 28th Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Nov. 22 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 1145 E. Fort Lowell Rd.

With 40 turkeys and 21 pies and less than two weeks until dinner preparations begin, The Salvation Army is seeking 500 frozen pre-baked pies and 500 turkeys for their annual community dinners.

Last year's Thanksgiving event, which served more than 3400 meals, included sit-down dinners as well as home-delivered meals. Many of these dinners were served to local families and children needing holiday assistance.

However, with the number of impoverished and displaced families expected to escalate this holiday season, The Salvation Army expects the need for public support to increase. 

"We understand things are harder for everyone right now, but we are hopeful that the generosity and compassion of our donors will see us through the season," said Ashley Lueders, Salvation Army public relations director, in a news release. 

Currently, The Salvation Army has not collected any pies or turkeys.

"Looking into an empty freezer right now is a scary thing," Lueders said. 

The public can make food donations at The Salvation Army, 1001 N. Richey and The Hospitality House, 1021 N. 11th Ave. Financial donations may also be mailed to 1001 N. Richey Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85716 (Attention Thanksgiving/Christmas Dinner).

Additional bulk donation items needed for the Thanksgiving meal include:

-- Eggs (30 dozen)

-- Dinner rolls (140 dozen)

-- Flour (100 pounds)

-- Turkey stuffing/corn bread mix (8 cases)

-- White bread loaves (50 - 1.5 pound loaves)

-- Brown sugar (50 pounds)

-- Cranberry sauce ( 6 cases - #10 Cans)

-- Whipped cream or topping (3 cases)

-- Instant potatoes (7 cases- #10 Can)

-- Gallons of milk (30 gallons)

-- Bananas and oranges

-- Loaves of white sandwich bread  and sliced meats

-- Hand sanitizers (travel size)

While Thanksgiving volunteer positions have been filled, Christmas volunteer positions are still available but quickly filling up. To volunteer, call 795-9671. To help The Salvation Army, call 795-9671 or visit the website for more information: www.TheSalvationArmyTucson.org.