INDIAN TRAIL – Indian Trail-based food pantry Common Cupboard, a branch of local nonprofit Common Heart, gave away 1,000 complete Thanksgiving dinners Saturday, Nov. 19 during its 10th annual Great Turkey Countdown.

Thanks to the community’s generosity, the nonprofit received enough donations to reach its goal of 1,000 frozen turkeys with all the trimmings for families in need throughout Union County, Matthews and Mint Hill.

About 600 volunteers packaged and delivered meals to families in need, making this all-hands-on-deck volunteer event the Cupboard’s biggest delivery day, Executive Director Keith Adams said. When the event started in 2006, the Cupboard gave away just over 100 Thanksgiving baskets.

“We’re just blown away by the generosity of this community,” Adams said. “It’s only through the kindness of our neighbors that we were able to meet this goal and feed so many families in need. We have a lot to be thankful for this year.”

For more information about year-round volunteer opportunities delivering meals to families or to request a meal for a family you know, visit www.CommonHeart.org or email Keith Adams at Keith@CommonHeart.org.

Photos attached. Photo credit to: Christy Miller Photography