Food Bank Sets Turkey Goal: 5,000

The Fredericksburg Area Food Bank is asking for donations of 5,000 turkeys and other items to meet demand this Thanksgiving. To help reach that goal, the food bank is hosting a number of events as part of its annual Turkey Drive.

Former Redskins cornerback Pat Fischer will be the guest of honor at a Thanksgiving Turkey Drive By event on Saturday November 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the front entrance of the Spotsylvania Towne Centre. Attendees are asked to bring frozen turkeys, non perishable canned goods or money to donate. A donation enters you for a chance to win a jersey autographed by early 1980s Redskins running back Mike Nelms.

If you don't mind bleeding for charity, Bloom grocery stores will be donating a free turkey to the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank for every pint of blood donated at two blood drives at the Spotsylvania Towne Center on November 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and November 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Through a network of 74 pantries, the food bank currently serves about 15,000 people living in the city of Fredericksburg, and Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George and Caroline counties. The economic downturn has had the double whammy effect  of increasing demand on the food pantry services while pinching the pocketbooks of once reliable donors.

Fredericksburg Food Bank Officials say they continue to see increasing numbers of new applicants for food relief.

Donations can also be dropped off directly at the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank's warehouse at 3631 Lee Hill Drive from 8 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday with extended hours on Wednesdays lasting to 6 p.m. Saturday hours vary.