Turkey Rally 2012 kicks off November 1

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE)  Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana is encouraging people, businesses, schools, organizations, and neighborhoods to begin collecting food and money for Turkey Rally 2012.

On Thursday, November 1 from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Community Harvest will collect frozen turkeys, hams, holiday food items, and monetary donations to help provide holiday meals to those who are struggling this year. All donations can be brought to Community Harvest at 999 E. Tillman Road in Fort Wayne.

"This time of year brings about added expenses for all families especially as it gets colder with home heating bills,” said Jane Avery, executive director, Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, Inc. "Being able to share a holiday meal at home is something that families who are struggling often times cannot afford, but that tradition is so important. We are asking folks to begin collecting donations now and bring them to the food bank on November 1. It's going to take all of us to fill the need."

Over the last five years Turkey Rally has raised $40,409, over 2,250 turkeys and hams, and nearly 8,000 pounds of additional holiday food items. It's estimated that Community Harvest will supply over 6,000 holiday meals this year via their 430 member agencies.