As we prepare to come together with our loved ones for a Thanksgiving feast, let’s remember that this holiday is about more than just food—it’s about sharing joy, gratitude, and community. Unfortunately, many families facing food insecurity are struggling to put a Thanksgiving meal on the table. Food nourishes in more ways than one, but it can be especially difficult for many families experiencing food insecurity to bring home enough food this Thanksgiving.
This holiday, the Foodbank is seeing a critical shortage in turkey donations. We initiated its annual Turkey Drive on November 1, but with less than two weeks from Thanksgiving, we have only reached 6% of our goal of 4,000 turkeys. The need is outpacing donations with only 252 birds currently donated. This year, the Foodbank served over 230,000 unduplicated individuals—a 40% increase from last year. Low-income families are feeling the pressure of increased food and gas prices, inflation as a whole, the expiration of pandemic-related food programs and a lack of affordable housing and affordable childcare. The annual Turkey Drive seeks to provide wholesome holiday meals to local families who are struggling financially. The demand for assistance has sharply increased throughout the county, necessitating this significant effort to support those facing food insecurity during the holiday season.
“We are seeing family expenses outpace work wages which is creating a spike in the number of people needing to use Foodbank services,” says Foodbank CEO Erik Talkin. A volatile supply chain and competitive produce market have resulted in heightened difficulty in obtaining food donations, and purchases are more expensive. The Foodbank has spent 38% more on produce purchases in 2023 than in 2022. Currently, 1 in 4 people in Santa Barbara County are facing food insecurity with 38% of those children.
“The Foodbank needs small turkeys and chickens to ensure everyone in our county can have a wholesome holiday dinner,” explained Paul Wilkins, Foodbank Chief Operations Officer. “With the highest food inflation rate in decades, food banks across the country expect to be hit hard in the last quarter of the year, the need is higher now than ever this year.”
Community members may drop off turkeys, chickens, and hams at the Foodbank’s warehouses Monday through Friday at our Santa Barbara and Santa Maria warehouses.
Duration: The Turkey Drive will be active from November 1 to November 22, 2023.
Drop-Off Locations
Santa Barbara: 4554 Hollister Ave, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 3 pm.
Santa Maria: 490 W. Foster Road, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 3 pm.
OR
You may also donate to one of our partner community drives
El Encanto Hotel
November 6-22
800 Alvarado Place
Santa Barbara, CA, 93103
4M Turkey Drive
Sunday, November 19
8am to 1pm
-Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church
-El Montecito Presbyterian
-All Saints By the Sea Church
-Montecito Covenant Church
Fess Parker Winery Food Drive
November 1-December 1
Funk Zone
116 E Yanonali Street, Suite A
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Splash and Dash Car Wash Food Drive
November 9-November 22
2175 S. Bradley Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455
In lieu of dropping off fresh or frozen birds, community members may sponsor holiday meals online by visiting:donate.foodbanksbc.org/sponsoraturkeydinner2023/ to donate.
Extended Support: While the Turkey Drive concludes on November 22, the Foodbank will continue to accept donations for holiday food distribution until December 11, 2023, supporting families throughout the holiday season.
