16th Annual ISWM Turkey Drive

Name: 16th Annual ISWM Turkey Drive
Start: 2024-11-25T07:00:00-05:00
Location: It Starts With ME

Schedule

Mon Nov 25 2024 at 07:00 am

UTC-05:00

Location

It Starts With ME | Salem, MA

Yes, you are seeing correctly and we are back for another year. This has always been my favorite event and last year it didn't feel right not hosting this event. When I first created this event 17 years ago I wanted to help a few families during Thanksgiving which is my favorite holiday. I was inspired by a great woman who opened up her home on Thanksgiving to families each year who needed a place to eat. She provided these families a day filled with great food, great company and a day they could forget about their stress and she filled it with love and laughter. We lost this amazing woman, Marie Meegan, this past year. Marie was one of my best friend's mom and I told him it only felt right that I brought this event back this year. I needed a year off to gather myself before I brought this amazing event back.
This year we decided to scale it back. We will be providing 100 full Thanksgiving meals (possible a little more but not much more). There are a couple reasons we are cutting back this year. One of the major reasons is I want to make sure I have enough time to collect everything we need to fulfill these meals since we are starting off late. We also can no longer buy turkeys from MB in bulk so turkeys will be an issue again and we do not have freezer space currently to store them.
With all that said below is the fun stuff and event info....
PLEASE NOTE - THIS EVENT IS HAPPENING NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 22nd (for drop-offs). Delivery day is November 25th.
Friends, Family and Community,
For the past 15 years, It Starts With ME! (ISWM), has been hosting an annual Turkey Drive to provide Thanksgiving meals to local families and Veterans in need during the holiday season, as well as stock the shelves of local food pantries and shelters during the winter season.
What started out as small gesture (nine meals in 2008), has grown tremendously over the years to 706 full meals in 2022. The increase over time is due to the endless need in our community, which sadly, there are even more families that are still out there that need our help.
Each year ISWM sets a goal which is met and exceeded! This is due to all of you.
This year we will be hosting our 16th Annual Turkey Drive. Our goal is to donate at least 100 (up to 250) Thanksgiving meals so that's where all of you come in!
The past couple of years we started collecting items towards the end of the summer which helped tremendously. This year we are starting out late.
We are also looking for new ways to get friends, family and work places involved so if you have ideas please share.
A couple items from previous years:
1. Choose one item on list and try to complete amongst your friends.
2. Food collection competition at work and dept who collected most wins something.
3. Jean day at work. Bring donation in in order to wear jeans.
4. I have been challenging myself where I buy at least 10 items every time I food shop for the drive. I don't notice $10-$20 each week and have already collected stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce.
Drop off locations:
Drop off locations: Since I no longer work from home we are looking to add 3-5 central drop off locations to help us collect more items. If you have a business and would like to serve as a drop off location please send me a message.
Current Drops offs starting on Nov. 2nd:
14 Saunders Street - All Week
2C Fletcher Way - Weekends only
Connections:
Always looking for a connection to buy items in bulk especially rolls so if you know someone let me know.
Meals:
Average meal cost $70!
Important Dates:
Food Drives - Must be collected by 11/16
Last Drop-offs - 11/23
The items that go into each meal are:
Turkey, gravy, tin turkey pan, stuffing, corn, green veggies, rolls, milk, juice, bag of potatoes, squash, cranberry sauce, dessert (boxed cake, brownies, or cookies), pie, and butter. (With monetary donations received ISWM will purchase the turkeys, milk and pies.)
Thank you,
Melanie & ISWM Team