Fort Wayne organization holds largest annual food drive before the holidays

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -

With Thanksgiving just more than a week away, some Fort Wayne Families will be having a happier holiday because of donations and preparations at the Franciscan Center.

Sunday night was the Franciscan’s Center largest food drive of the year. Parishioners from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church donated a box truck and three mini vans worth of food to the Center and helped Center organizers unload them.

"And without them, I just don’t know how we would get through," said Carol Clark, the Franciscan Center's Sack Lunch Program Manager.

Tuesday, November 20th, the Center has its annual Thanksgiving drive. They are expecting to give away 1500 turkeys and grab bags for those in need. The Center sees between 120 and 180 clients every day.

"That’s a burden on our shelves, keeping our shelves stocked, so this food drive really helps us gives us a booster shot as far as keeping the shelves stocked," said Tony Ley, the Executive Director at the Franciscan Center.

There’s a food pantry, a sack lunch program, and a medicine cabinet that also supplies basic toiletries.  

"It’s just an act of kindness," Ley said. "Just to bring a little joy into the Thanksgiving holiday if people have nothing to prepare that day."

Ley said this donation put them very close to their goal, but they are in need of more. If you would like to donate you can drop it off at the Franciscan Center at 4643 Gaywood Drive, call and arrange a pick up with the staff, send a monetary donation, or call 744-3977.