The spirit of giving is strong in Mesa, Arizona, as the city teams up with United Food Bank to tackle the annual Turkey Tuesday event happening on Tuesday, November 18. In a push to gather resources for those in need this holiday season, Mesa's goal is to collect 2,000 turkeys and a hefty sum of $20,000 in cash donations. The event will run from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Mesa Convention Center North Parking Lot, found at the heart of the city at 40 E. MLK Jr. Way.
Mayor Mark Freeman acknowledged the collective ethos that propels the city forward, stating, "Mesa has always been a city built on community, service and shared purpose," this sentiment is evident as Mesa steps into its 17th year of holding the Turkey Tuesday tradition a tradition which, over the years, has amounted to an impressive donation pile with around 20,000 turkeys and $200,000 in funds raised for the cause, helping hands from Desert Financial Credit Union, State Farm, and the Arizona Cardinals are reaching deeper into their pockets by offering to match up to $75,000 in monetary donations to ensure holiday meals are on the table this November.
On-site donations of frozen turkeys, cash, and canned goods will be welcomed by Mesa employees during the event, aiming to spread as much holiday cheer as possible to families facing hardships. In the words of United Food Bank’s CEO Jason Reed, "Each year, United Food Bank helps thousands of Arizona families share a traditional holiday meal," he continued, expressing gratitude in a statement obtained by MesaNow.org for the "generous donors who make this possible; your contributions truly make a difference in the lives of those in need this holiday season." Adding practicality to generosity, it's noted that every $31 raised can put a turkey on a family’s table.
With the continuity of such community-driven events, Mesa and United Food Bank are highlighting the power of coordinated charity; food distribution will proceed the day after the collection, on November 19, at United Food Bank’s annual Thanksgiving Holiday Distribution, where eligible residents can receive their share from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until the food runs out, thus ensuring that no one is left without the means to celebrate Thanksgiving
