'It warms their hearts'

COEUR d’ALENE —  As each vehicle approached in the parking lot, Ashley Rider flashed a big smile, waved to offer directions, then greeted the driver.

“Good morning! How are you today?” she said with cheer in her voice.

Rider offered a joyous welcome over and over on a sunny-but-cold Friday morning at Unity Center of Spiritual Growth.

She’s been part of the Turkeys and More distribution for seven years and has seen the delight in the eyes of those who pick up a turkey in time for Thanksgiving.

“Life in the world is just so hard in general, especially with prices and everything going up,” Rider said during a brief break from her volunteer duties. 

“Just having a little extra cheer doesn’t cost anybody a thing,” she said. "If I can give in any way possible, it brings me happiness and warmth.”

People like Sandy Fruechpe appreciated it.

She didn’t have money for a turkey this year so receiving one on Friday was “awesome.”

Now, her Thanksgiving is looking great, she said, even if her oven isn’t working.

“I just have to find a place to cook it,” she said, smiling. “But I have plenty of friends.”

The nonprofit Turkeys and More gave out about 2,000 12- to 15-pound turkeys. About 700 were picked up at Unity Church by those who registered through the Community Action Partnership food bank, while about 1,300 were distributed to food banks and other social service agencies in Kootenai County by volunteers.

Those who picked up turkeys also received $25 gift cards.

Nancy Nelson, Turkeys and More president, said theirs is an easy program to explain.

“We raise money to buy turkeys for Thanksgiving for the food bank. That’s what we do,” she said. 

Its theme is “Fight Hunger, Feed Hope."

Drivers began rolling up as scheduled at 10 a.m. They were greeted by volunteers who checked paperwork and directed them about 50 yards to where more volunteers waited with boxes of turkeys.

Nelson said they’re happy to do what they can. Their efforts are projected to feed about 10,000 people. 

“Some people just don’t have the money to have a nice Thanksgiving dinner," she said.

Evalyn Adams has coordinated the event for seven years. She said they came up a shade shy of their $60,000 fundraising goal. Costs were a little more than expected, as well.

“We’re still trying to raise a little money. Turkey was $1.98 a pound instead of $1.65," she said.

Adams said this is a time of year when people who could use a little help “really appreciate a boost.”

“When they know the community cares enough to do this, it warms their hearts,” she said.

Volunteer Jodi Babb brought along her son, Marty, and niece Keira Ellison to put turkeys in vehicles. Her husband, Brian Babb, is a member of the Coeur Group that helped deliver them.

“Just something we love to do, give back to the community, show our support,” she said. “Show our kids it’s good to get out there and volunteer.”

Anthony and Kyrstin Long walked a mile to pick up their bird. Now, they plan to have people over for the holiday. 

“It means we get to provide dinner for our family,” Kyrstin Long said. “It brings us all together.”

Anthony Long smiled as they began their walk home. 

“People are trying to help out in the community and give back a little bit,” he said. “That’s great to see.”

   Anthony and Kyrstin Long pick up a turkey at the Turkeys and More distribution at Unity church on Friday.

    Keira Ellison carries a turkey to a car during the Turkeys and More distribution on Friday.

  

   Evalyn Adams talks with volunteers during the Turkeys and More distribution on Friday.