Salvation Army still needs turkeys for Thanksgiving

The Renton Salvation Army was just 90 turkeys short of its goal for its Thanksgiving food basket giveaway Monday morning, but staff are hoping to feed all 500 families who signed-up for the resources by end of day Tuesday.

The Renton Salvation Army was just 90 turkeys short of its goal for its Thanksgiving food basket giveaway Monday morning, but staff are hoping to feed all 500 families who signed-up for the resources by end of day Tuesday.

“(It’s) OK, not as great as I was hoping,” said Beverly Storey, director of social services, about the shortage. “New Life Church is fantastic; they brought us 250 turkeys.”

The rest have come from private donors and Storey was hopeful that more private donors would come through for their second day of Thanksgiving food giveaways on Tuesday.

Twelve volunteers from all over the community were working in different stations around the Salvation Army food bank to help guests pick out what they need for their holiday meal. About 48 volunteers were expected to help out during the two-day distribution.

“I just love it; I feel like I’m doing something useful and I like the people who come in here and I like the people I work with,” said Marge Merritt, a volunteer.

Merritt was helping people pick out pastries on Monday morning for their Thanksgiving meals. This is her fifth year helping with the turkey giveaways.”I’m just glad we can help them,” she said of the center’s clients.

“We don’t know what their circumstances are, but we’re just glad we can help out.”

The sign-up for Thanksgiving baskets is closed now, but turkey donations are still needed through Tuesday. For more information, call 425-255-5969.