Turkey Shortage, Rising Costs Threaten Thanksgiving Season for Thousands Served by Food Bank of South Jersey
Non-Profit Organization Projects 6,000 Turkey Shortfall; Solicits Emergency Support from Businesses and Residents in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem Counties.
Pennsauken, NJ, November 04, 2015 --(PR.com)-- The Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) is projecting a critical shortage of turkeys (6,000 or more) that could dampen the holidays for thousands of South Jersey families if not reversed. The area’s largest hunger-relief organization, FBSJ has organized multiple turkey drop events and set up an online contribution page in response to the shortfall.
How and When to Help: Turkey Drop Events
Residents and business representatives can deliver turkeys as well as traditional holiday trimmings to FBSJ’s Pennsauken headquarters at 1501 John Tipton Boulevard. Volunteers and FBSJ staff will be on hand to collect donations at drop-off stations for the following dates and times:
· Saturday, November 14, 9:00 am to 3 pm
· Saturday, November 21, 9:00 am to 3 pm
Arrangements to deliver turkeys and other food donations to FBSJ on dates other than the Turkey Drop Events can be made by contacting FBSJ at 856-662-4884.
How to Help: Virtual Turkey Drive
Online donations used for purchasing holiday food can also be made by visiting FBSJ’s Virtual Turkey Drive page at http://donate.foodbanksj.org/turkeydrive2015.
Why
The nation’s worst outbreak of avian flu earlier this year killed nearly 50 million turkeys and chickens. The impact has significantly disrupted the supply chain and sent production costs skyrocketing; prices for frozen turkeys are averaging 1.40 per pound, up 20 cents this year and 40% over the last three years.
“The market conditions this holiday season are a worst-case scenario for emergency food providers like us,” stated FBSJ Chief Operating Officer Joe Njoroge. “Our purchasing power has been diminished, and the availability of turkey products has become somewhat unpredictable. We recently surveyed the agencies (pantries) in our distribution network and they have indicated a holiday need for 6,000 turkeys more than we have on hand or can afford to acquire on our own. We are looking for help from the communities we serve to make the holidays brighter for everyone.”
About the Food Bank of South Jersey
The Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) is the leader in providing safe and nutritional food to people in need throughout South Jersey. FBSJ distributes food, provides nutrition education and cooking courses, and helps food-insecure families and seniors find sustainable ways to improve their lives. In 2014, FBSJ provided 10.4 million pounds of food to nearly 200,000 South Jersey residents. FBSJ is a member of Feeding America, our nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. To learn more visit www.foodbanksj.org.
How and When to Help: Turkey Drop Events
Residents and business representatives can deliver turkeys as well as traditional holiday trimmings to FBSJ’s Pennsauken headquarters at 1501 John Tipton Boulevard. Volunteers and FBSJ staff will be on hand to collect donations at drop-off stations for the following dates and times:
· Saturday, November 14, 9:00 am to 3 pm
· Saturday, November 21, 9:00 am to 3 pm
Arrangements to deliver turkeys and other food donations to FBSJ on dates other than the Turkey Drop Events can be made by contacting FBSJ at 856-662-4884.
How to Help: Virtual Turkey Drive
Online donations used for purchasing holiday food can also be made by visiting FBSJ’s Virtual Turkey Drive page at http://donate.foodbanksj.org/turkeydrive2015.
Why
The nation’s worst outbreak of avian flu earlier this year killed nearly 50 million turkeys and chickens. The impact has significantly disrupted the supply chain and sent production costs skyrocketing; prices for frozen turkeys are averaging 1.40 per pound, up 20 cents this year and 40% over the last three years.
“The market conditions this holiday season are a worst-case scenario for emergency food providers like us,” stated FBSJ Chief Operating Officer Joe Njoroge. “Our purchasing power has been diminished, and the availability of turkey products has become somewhat unpredictable. We recently surveyed the agencies (pantries) in our distribution network and they have indicated a holiday need for 6,000 turkeys more than we have on hand or can afford to acquire on our own. We are looking for help from the communities we serve to make the holidays brighter for everyone.”
About the Food Bank of South Jersey
The Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) is the leader in providing safe and nutritional food to people in need throughout South Jersey. FBSJ distributes food, provides nutrition education and cooking courses, and helps food-insecure families and seniors find sustainable ways to improve their lives. In 2014, FBSJ provided 10.4 million pounds of food to nearly 200,000 South Jersey residents. FBSJ is a member of Feeding America, our nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. To learn more visit www.foodbanksj.org.
Contact
Food Bank of South Jersey
Lou Martelli
856-662-4884
foodbanksj.org
Lou Martelli
856-662-4884
foodbanksj.org
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