Canned goods, frozen turkeys needed to reach goal

Calling all turkeys!  Local nonprofit Common Heart is seeking donations to provide 1,000 frozen turkeys with all the fixin’s to 1,000 local families in need so they can prepare their own Thanksgiving feasts. It’s the 11th annual Great Turkey Countdown!  

Residents can drop off frozen turkeys and other related nonperishables like canned fruits and vegetables, boxed potatoes, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, gravy etc., at the nonprofit’s Common Things Thrift Store, 321 Indian Trail Road North, Indian Trail, Tues., Wed., Fri & Sat. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thurs. 10 a.m. To 7 p.m.   

Residents wishing to donate large amounts of nonperishables and/or frozen turkeys should email CommonHeart@CommonHeart.org to make an appointment for drop off at their Common Cupboard food pantry in Indian Trail.

Cash donations are also being accepted. Every $25 raised buys a turkey and the fixin’s. To donate online, visit http://Turkeys.CommonHeart.org.

Hundreds of volunteers will be needed at the Common Cupboard food pantry, on Saturday, Nov. 18 to pack and deliver the 1,000 Thanksgiving dinner baskets. Volunteers can sign up online at  http://Turkeys.CommonHeart.org.

The baskets will benefit families throughout Union County, Matthews and Mint Hill.

This all-hands-on-deck volunteer event is the Cupboard’s biggest delivery day, Executive Director Keith Adams said.

“When we started this Thanksgiving program 10 years ago, we gave away just over 100 Thanksgiving baskets. The effort – thanks to the community’s generosity –  has grown steadily since then and this year we hope we can serve 1,000 families,” he said.  The first Great Turkey Countdown started on Facebook in 2007. Today, the tradition continues at Facebook.com/TheCommonHeart.

About Common Heart

Common Heart is a 501(c)3 faith-based nonprofit located in Indian Trail.

The organization began in 2006 as a loose group of friends with the desire to put their faith into action by forging relationships with the people they help. It now encompasses a collection of community members and organizations, churches and businesses in addition to its outreaches Common Cupboard, Common Things Thrift Store, Serving U and CONNECTS.

The nonprofit serves families and individuals in need who live in Union, and parts of Mecklenburg counties through three food pantries and three mobile pantries, currently serving more than 750 families each month.

Find more information about Common Heart online at www.CommonHeart.org.