LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — It's quite the heavy lift to make this major tradition happen in Luzerne County, as the CEO Weinberg Food Bank gears up for its annual Thanksgiving distribution.
It takes months of planning to make it happen. Organizers say they've been preparing since the early summer months. Now, months later, on the shelves sits more than 10 thousand turkeys and hundreds of thousands of pounds of produce. All of it, including a box with all the fixin's, will be handed out to families all across Luzerne and Wyoming Counties.
"It's a heartwarming feeling just knowing that when I sit down with my family, we served 10 thousand other families, if not more, " said the Weinberg Foodbank Director, Mary Ellen Spellman.
After nearly 45 years of tradition, organizers say it's one of their biggest giveaways yet, with more than 10,000 families registered. The growing numbers show the startling need in the community.
But it's more than just the people behind the packing that makes this all possible. Jennifer Warabak is the CEO Weinberg Regional Foodbank Executive Director.
"We do have a lot of outside community help including the Luzerne County transportation authority, the Hazelton Transportation Authority. They've stepped up to ensure the families that can't get to a food distribution, can get the bus to get there," said Warabak.
They say it's community that keeps this regional food bank going. Donations allow them to stock the shelves of more than 300 different local food banks across four different counties, all year round.
"Local companies are volunteering their time or they're doing a food drive for us, and they always come in and say, 'it's not a lot, it's not a lot' but it is a lot, and it all adds up," added Spellman.
But they say they're still in need of monetary donations- and volunteers ahead of this weekend's thanksgiving distribution. Together, making sure hearts and bellies are filled this holiday.
"I think that it's a credit to our community that they step in year in and year out, to make sure that those families who need it the most, have a meal for Thanksgiving," said Warabak.