As we started the Holiday distribution, we received over 2,400 turkeys from our friends at Cargill.  I made it a point to go to the first pantry that was passing out the turkeys.  This particular pantry is open one evening a month and is located in South Wichita.  A middle aged man who had a little girl with him, pulled me aside and asked me to pass this message along,  “Since you work for the Food Bank, will you please tell the people at Cargill that donated the turkeys Thank you from me & my family.  I did not know how I would be able to afford Thanksgiving this year.  Times are really tough right now and I am so happy I was able to get this food for my family.  I know there are people that look down on me because I can’t afford my bills, but I want you to know how grateful I am to you and the kind folks at Cargill for my turkey.  You have made it possible for my family to have a real Thanksgiving dinner.”  It was all I could do to hold back the tears. When you walk the lines at the pantries, you see true poverty up close and personal.  I know that everyone there that night appreciated the gift of food that they received.

Debi Kreutzman
Community Relations Manager