Turkeys on the go
DEVIN WEEKS/Press Ben Olney prepares to place two turkeys in the back of a vehicle Saturday morning during the Community Action Partnership Coeur d’Alene Food Bank’s annual turkey distribution for Thanksgiving. Many recipients said “God bless you” and thanked the happy volunteers as they loaded cars and trucks with turkeys and bags of potatoes, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, gravy mix and canned vegetables.
Community Action Partnership Coeur d'Alene Food Bank volunteers Bob Mattfeld and Tammy Rickard collect a pre-registration ticket from a patron Saturday morning during the food bank's annual turkey distribution for Thanksgiving. This year's distribution went quickly and smoothly thanks to the implementation of a new system that assigned pick-up times and required volunteers to place the turkeys, potatoes and fixings in vehicles so people didn't even have to get out of their cars. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
Slick Rock Tanning and Spa employee and Community Action Partnership Coeur d'Alene Food Bank volunteer Hannah Hudson brings a sack of potatoes to a patron Saturday morning during the annual turkey distribution. At least 30 volunteers worked in shifts as they distributed most of the 1,700 turkeys and fixings that will feed local families this Thanksgiving. Distribution continues from 2 to 4 p.m. today. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
By DEVIN WEEKS
Staff Writer
COEUR d’ALENE — Three things were heard over and over again on Saturday: "Thank you," "God bless you" and "Where are all the lines?"
"The people are so happy. They say, 'This is great, we don't have to wait in line,'" said Community Action Partnership Coeur d'Alene Food Bank manager Darrell Rickard. "And we're serving more people."
Although a line of cars stretched from the food bank to just around the corner on Industrial Loop when turkey distribution opened at 8 a.m., the rest of the sunny day was smooth sailing that only required recipients to show their pre-registration tickets, drive up to the tent for their food and go on with their day.
"It's set up perfectly," said Kathy Thayer of Coeur d'Alene, who was picking up food but has worked as a volunteer on distribution day many times in the past. "This is smart."
At least 30 volunteers worked in shifts to distribute most of 1,700 turkeys that were collected through the efforts of the food bank's Thanksgiving fundraising branch, Turkeys and More, and the generosity of the community and Super 1 Foods.
The turkeys were accompanied by bags of potatoes and sacks of canned veggies, gravy mix, cranberry sauce and stuffing to help families that otherwise might not have a nice holiday meal this Thanksgiving.
"It feels good, obviously, that we can help other people that need it," said Slick Rock Tanning and Spa employee and food bank volunteer Ben Olney. "Everyone's been super grateful and thankful."
Slick Rock owners Adam and Paige Kaplan and their employees have volunteered for the distribution day for about five years. Adam and Paige worked directing traffic, making sure everyone received a warm greeting and fond farewell.
"This is by far everybody's favorite event of the year," Adam said. "We look forward to this so much."
Distribution continues today from 2 to 4 p.m. at the food bank, 4144 W. Industrial Loop in Coeur d’Alene.