Not just talk

COEUR d'ALENE - By ones and by twos and by threes, turkeys flowed through the door at the Community Action Partnership Food Bank.

So many over the past five days, in fact, that Carolyn Shewfelt can finally say it: Enough.

All 3,500 people who registered for a food box and turkey should get one.

And the thanks, says the food bank manager, goes to lots of prayer and a community that heard about the need, and responded - just as it always seems to do.

"Like right now, one is coming through the door," Shewfelt said Monday afternoon as she talked on the phone. "It's awesome. Unbelievable.

"We are just at a loss," she added.

It was just Thursday that Shewfelt said around 3,000 turkeys were needed to meet the number of requests for one on Thanksgiving. Since, individuals, couples, families, businesses and community groups dropped by the with turkeys.

Many brought one. Others walked in with two or three. The food bank is closed on weekends, but another 60 or so were delivered while Shewfelt was there. Second Harvest rolled up with at least 100 Monday.

It was a matter of getting the word out there, she said, and letting the community know the need was urgent.

"Once they heard, they brought them in," she said.

Shewfelt had high praise, too, for the more than 400 food bank volunteers, led by volunteer coordinator Margaret O'Leary, who helped make it happen.

Any extra turkeys will be saved for Christmas.

The distribution deadline was extended this week to be sure everyone who needs a turkey for Thanksgiving, gets one. Some who registered later will even receive one, so overwhelming was the response.

"Really, it's amazing," Shewfelt said.