WALLINGFORD, Conn. — Forklifts are running more frequently and the heavy lifting continues -- that’s the reality every Thanksgiving season inside Connecticut Foodshare’s Wallingford warehouse.
This year, the staff and volunteers at Foodshare have set a goal to provide 50,000 turkey dinners to families in need across the state of Connecticut.
“In November it’s the busiest time of the year," said Jason Jakubowski, the president and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare. "These next three weeks are going to be very crazy here at Connecticut Foodshare and at our pantries all across the state.”
Jakubowski, who has been leading Connecticut Foodshare for the past six years, said that while inflation in 2023 has made this Thanksgiving season more challenging, he looks forward to gathering the food and donations needed to fulfill their goals.
“I believe in the people of Connecticut," said Jakubowski. “The people of Connecticut always stepped up for us during the pandemic and I’m confident we are going to get the 50,000 turkeys.”
“We want to feed 50,000 families this holiday, so the more turkeys the better,” added Dave DeMaio, the senior director of warehouse operations at Connecticut Foodshare.
The official name of Foodshare’s new holiday campaign is called, “Thanksgiving for All,” but Jakubowski stressed the initiatives go beyond Thanksgiving.
“We encourage people to donate turkeys to us but we also encourage those monetary donations so we can do what we do year-round,” Jakubowski said.
“[Thanksgiving] It’s a special time for all families so all families should be able to have an opportunity to have a nice meal,” DeMaio said.
This year, Foodshare’s popular “Turkey Tuesday” happens on Nov. 14. To support Connecticut Foodshare’s “Thanksgiving for All” campaign, click here.
---
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
---
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.