Talking turkey: Talent director wanted
Turkeys & More coordinator Evalyn Adams, center, poses with committee members Lindsey Ritzheiner, front left, Karen Worthly, front right, Kristie Owens, back left, and Shirlee Grabko, during their meeting on Tuesday. LISA JAMES/Press
Turkeys & More coordinator Evalyn Adams, in black, meets with committee members on Tuesday to discuss upcoming fundraisers that will raise money to provide Thanksgiving turkeys to 1,600 families in Kootenai County. Pictured clockwise from the right of Adams: Karen Worthly, Kristie Owens, Lindsey Ritzheiner, and Shirlee Grabko. LISA JAMES/Press
COEUR d’ALENE — Turkeys and More is planning to tap into Kootenai County's cornucopia of talent to help feed those in need.
The nonprofit, which serves as a fundraising branch of the Community Action Partnership Coeur d'Alene Food Bank, is hoping to raise a substantial sum through its Turkeys and More Showcase of Talent in September.
But before anyone shakes a tail feather, a creative volunteer director is needed.
"(We're looking for) someone with a background in theater, musical events, someone who would like to help hungry people as well as support theater arts," Turkeys and More coordinator Evalyn Adams said. "After the director is lined up, we'll let them determine when auditions will be so we can have a good variety."
Adams said the inspiration comes from a similar event her church organized to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. That event, held at North Idaho College, brought in $20,000.
"We want to raise $35,000, and that's to provide turkeys for 1,600 families," Adams said. "Last year it was 1,500, so we thought we would aim for 100 more because it's growing in need every year.
"This is our major fundraising event."
Adams took on Turkeys and More when its predecessor, Turkeys for All, dissolved earlier this year. She changed the name to add the "and More" because the group does much more than provide Thanksgiving dinners.
"Sometimes the food bank will need monies for additional items. The freezer truck they have doesn't work all the time," Adams said. "There will be additional costs than just turkeys."
The talent showcase will feature about 15-20 acts.
"It's not a competition," Adams said. "We would welcome people of all sorts of talents."
Food bank manager Nicol Barnes said as far as she knows, this will be the first talent show hosted by the food bank.
"It'll be a fun evening to come out and support the food bank and be entertained," Barnes said. "Who knows what kind of talent we'll end up with."
The Turkeys and More Talent Showcase is scheduled for Sept. 29.
For information about the volunteer director position, how to get involved or how to support Turkeys and More and the food bank, contact Adams at 765-5535 or evalynera@hotmail.com.