Seneca Falls, N.Y. (WHAM) — Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes kicked off a three-day food drive Friday for families in time for Thanksgiving.
The goal is to collect 500 frozen turkeys at the Seneca Falls/Waterloo Walmart.
Helping lead the charge is radio deejay Liz Cruz of Classic Hits 99.3 FM.
“Just right now at this time, there’s so many families in need of just putting food on the table, especially with the holidays coming up,” said Cruz.
With the government shutdown and the temporary halt of SNAP benefits impacting so many, the team is also hoping to get as many non-perishable food items to help pump up food pantries across Seneca, Ontario and Cayuga counties.
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When 13WHAM News saw Cruz and company Friday morning, it had already a long day. But they were really just getting started, as the drive continues through Sunday.
“I was up at 12:30 this morning, so I was here at 3 a.m., 4 a.m., but it’s OK,” she said, with a cup of coffee in hand.
Also helping are local business owners like BJ Riester of Riester Appliances and Lindsay Rae of Ashley Lynn Winery.
“If you bring a donation, you get a cider donut, fresh made in the house and some cider,” said Rae in her turkey costume.
Riester is donating his time and freezers to keep the turkeys frozen.
Cruz said the community needs drives just like this now more than ever.
“We need to get together and do something good for the community, bring everybody together, doing something nice for other families.”
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The drive continues until noon on Sunday at Walmart on North Road in Seneca Falls. You can also enter to win prizes while there. If you’d like to give a monetary donation online, click this link.