COMMUNITY The donation aims to help those in turkey-growing communities hit hard by the pandemic
Rural food banks and cheer boards across the Interlake region received 275 donated turkeys this month.
“We want to give back to the community that we are so thankful for, and we hope this contribution helps those in need celebrate the holidays,” said Rachelle Brown, chair of Manitoba Turkey Producers in a Dec. 14 news release.
Manitoba Turkey Producers and processor Exceldor Cooperative donated the turkeys to five food banks and cheer boards in the Interlake region on December 8 and 9.
These included Interlake Food Bank in Stonewall, Evergreen Basic Needs in Gimli, Selkirk Food Bank and others.
The two organizations have partnered to donate turkeys to rural food banks since the onset of the pandemic, a spokesperson for the Turkey Producers told the Co-operator. Last year they donated turkeys to the South East Helping Hands (based in Steinbach).
“We want to donate our turkeys back into the communities where they are raised,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “The Interlake region holds a special place in our heart as it is home to several of our producers.”
This includes breeder operations and a hatchery.
“There is no better time than now to give back to our community,” said Darcy Ballance, Exceldor’s director of sales in Manitoba. “We’re proud to provide this support to local food banks that are helping the many families and individuals across Manitoba who have been greatly impacted by the results of the pandemic.”
