KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An organization that provides Thanksgiving dinner for low-income families is now in need of the community's help.
Della Lamb Community Services will host it's 27th Annual Operation Thanksgiving on Tuesday, Nov. 26. More than 1,100 families have pre-qualified, but Della Lamb is running short on frozen turkeys.
"We haven't been this short for the number of turkeys for a while. We're at least 250 turkeys short for Thanksgiving and we're several hundred short for Christmas," Judy Akers, the executive vice president said.
Operation Thanksgiving provides staple items for families to prepare dinner in their own homes. The food distribution includes a frozen turkey, stuffing mix, instant mashed potato packages, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, eggs and dessert.
This year, Akers said Della Lamb was counting on food from a particular source, but it didn't come through like they had hoped for. Now, they're asking people in the community to either donate a frozen turkey or make a $35 contribution, which will provide for one family.
"The families that we serve are mostly working families, but many are not clearing $1,000, $1,100 or $1,200 a month take home pay, so it's when you're at that kind of monthly income, something like Thanksgiving or Christmas is a challenge to provide for," Akers said.
To donate a turkey, people can either drop one off at Della Lamb or stop by any of the following Price Choppers on Thursday, Nov. 21 to buy a turkey and have it donated to Operation Thanksgiving:
- 6327 Brookside Plaza, Kansas City, MO
- 7201 W. 151st, Street, Overland Park, KS
- 937 NW Woods Chapel Rd., Lee's Summit, MO
Donors can also make a financial contribution at Della Lamb's website.
The families that will receive a turkey and fixings for Thanksgiving have already pre-qualified for the food distribution. There are still open slots for families who will need food for Christmas.
