{"id":127600,"date":"2025-11-20T07:59:47","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T12:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=127600"},"modified":"2025-12-28T13:28:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T18:28:49","slug":"600-turkeys-needed-for-turkey-tuesday-20251125","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2025\/11\/20\/600-turkeys-needed-for-turkey-tuesday-20251125\/","title":{"rendered":"600 Turkeys needed for “Turkey Tuesday” – 11\/25\/2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Franciscan Center announces today that the mission is still looking for approximately 600 turkeys to meet the expected need for its annual \u201cTurkey Tuesday.\u201d<\/p>\n

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News release from the Franciscan Center:<\/p>\n

The Franciscan Center Announces its 26th Annual Turkey Tuesday on November 25; Needs 600 Turkeys<\/strong>
\nFunds for 600 Turkeys Still Needed to Help Make the Holiday Bright for Families on the Southeast Side<\/em><\/p>\n

Fort Wayne, Indiana (November 20, 2025) \u2014 The Franciscan Center announces today that the mission is still looking for approximately 600 turkeys to meet the expected need for its annual \u201cTurkey Tuesday\u201d, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving on November 25. Turkeys, or more importantly funding to purchase turkeys at $21\/turkey, is needed to meet the anticipated demand after the recent Government Shutdown. <\/p>\n

\u201cPer the recent Indiana Farm Bureau data, it costs on average $53.60 for a Thanksgiving Meal for 10 people, or $5.36 a person in Indiana,\u201d notes Tony Ley, Executive Director of the Franciscan Center. \u201cThat includes prices for a 16-pound turkey that costs on average $21 in Indiana. We typically receive donations to make the rest of the meal, but focusing on providing turkeys is what we have done for 25 years on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. People will get in line before 6:00 a.m. on a cold, November morning waiting for the turkey distribution to start at 9:00 a.m.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year, to help keep those in line comfortable, Melissa Montana and other staff from radio station STAR88.3, along with members of the girls basketball team from Lakewood Park Christian School in Auburn, will be on hand with coffee donated by Bon Bons Coffee Shop and will make hot chocolate for those waiting in line. <\/p>\n

Tony continues: \u201cFor me and my extended family, memories of Thanksgiving often focus on family and friends gathered around the dinner table, enjoying the wonderful feast prepared for them. With your support, you can help make this dream a reality for our clients. The Franciscan Center highlights one client\u2019s joy of receiving a turkey in one of our videos available at www.thefranciscancenter.org\/video<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to donate turkeys or $21 for each family:<\/p>\n

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  1. Online: visit www.thefranciscancenter.org\/support-us<\/li>\n
  2. Mail: 1015 E Maple Grove Ave, Fort Wayne, 46806; write \u201cTurkey\u201d on the memo line.<\/li>\n
  3. Drop-Off: one of five locations:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n