By Christina Gray
According to the U.S. Consumer Price Index, the overall price of groceries is nearly 3% higher than it was this time last year, making a Thanksgiving meal this year very difficult for those who already struggling.
“With food insecurity on the rise and resources stretched thin, this year’s SF Turkey Drive is more important than ever,” said St. Emydius parishioner and SF Turkey Drive founder Pierre Smit.
For the 14th year in row, the SF Turkey Drive is preparing to give the gift of a warm meal and a full belly with Thanksgiving and Christmas food drives that will benefit three local nonprofits.
The popular SF Turkey Drive is seeking donations and volunteers immediately for its Nov. 22 collection drive at St. Emydius Church, 350 De Montfort Avenue, San Francisco. A Christmas drive will be held on Dec. 20 at the same location. Each drive runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
This past year alone, according to Smit, more than 1,250 turkeys were donated, enough to prepare more than 60,000 meals for the SF/Marin Food Bank, the Tenderloin District’s St. Francis Living Room for low-income seniors, and the St. Anthony Foundation Dining Room.
Belgium-born Smit conceived of the popular drive in 2012 and organized it out of his living room for years. Smit experienced food insecurity after he first arrived to this country in 1979. It shaped his lifelong belief that no one should go hungry. While not specifically a ministry of St. Emydius, the pastor and parish community has become committed to the SF Turkey Drive. For the past 13 years, Smit and a network of regular volunteers have collected thousands of turkeys, fresh produce, and checks or cash from cars driving through the St. Emydius parking lot on the day of the drive. To date, the effort has helped serve more than 325,000 meals to children, families and seniors across San Francisco.
Many choose to donate online at SFTurkeyDrive.com in advance, which welcomes three kinds of donations:
- Frozen turkeys (preferred), hams (December only), and fresh onions, potatoes, carrots for the SF-Marin Food Bank.
- Non-perishable breakfast items (peanut butter, jam, oatmeal) for St. Francis Living Room.
- Monetary donations — 100% of which goes directly to the nonprofit.
For the first time, donors using SFTurkeyDrive.com can choose which of the three organizations will benefit from their gift.
Volunteers are needed at the drop-off site (St. Emydius Parish) on collection days to help greet donors, collect food and load donations for delivery to partner organizations, according to Smit.
“It’s inspiring to see how one act of generosity from a neighbor can ripple through our entire city, bringing hope and nourishment to those who need it most,” he said.
Contact Pierre Smit at SFPierre@aol.com for more information, or visit SFTurkeyDrive.com.
