Have you ever wondered how a turkey you donated makes it to a family in need?
Team 12’s Krystle Henderson followed a turkey from the store to a local family to find out.
First, after the turkey is dropped off, it goes to the warehouse of St. Vincent De Paul. At the warehouse, it gets packed into a box of Thanksgiving food.
With a little love, the box gets sent off. A volunteer takes the box to its destination. There are more than 3,000 volunteers to deliver the food.
Wherever you buy the turkey, that’s where your donation goes. For example, buying a turkey in Phoenix helps a Phoenix family, buying a turkey in Mesa helps a Mesa family, and so on.
In Krystle’s case, the box went to a single mother of five who needed a little help this year.
“When you have that stress of, ‘How are you going to do it? How are you going to make it this day, let alone for this holiday,' and then having you guys knock on my door and bringing us a turkey,” she said. “We’d sit at the table as a family and everybody says what they’re thankful for, so St. Vincent and Channel 12 News will definitely be in our thanks this year, so it’s a great feeling.”
If you want to help out a neighbor in need, you can donate online here or text TURKEY to 474747 to donate $15 or an amount of your choosing.
You can drop off a donation at Basha’s at Gilbert and Chandler Heights roads on Turkey Tuesday until 7 p.m. and meet Bruce Cooper, Emma Jade and Paul Gerke while you’re there.
HOW TO HELP: Donate to Turkey Tuesday
Online and text donations will continue to be accepted until the end of the month.