With two weeks remaining in the seventh annual Kent Turkey Challenge, participants have reported collecting 800 items of food and $3,000 in donations for the Kent Food Bank.
Organizers set a goal to raise $25,000 and 10,000 pounds of food.
The event is among local businesses, organizations, churches, schools and community members to see who can raise the most food and monetary donations for the food bank. As of Oct. 31, 71 groups and companies have joined the challenge to support this event, and businesses are still able to sign up at torkliftcentral.com/turkey.
“This is not only what we have to do as a community, but what we love to do as a community. It’s essential that we take care of each other,” said Torklift Central owner Jack Kay. “We can all stand together to make sure that our local Kent families have a memorable meal for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. That’s what we are here to do.”
Through Nov. 15, anyone can go into a participating business and donate canned goods in their donation bins or for $10, purchase a paper turkey with their name on it to be displayed in that particular business. One hundred percent of all the donations received go to the Kent Food Bank.
“Over the span of the event, Kent businesses and organizations raised more than $111,000 and 33,000 pounds of food,” Kay said. “Last year, thanks to the efforts of the community to raise monetary donations for the Kent Turkey Challenge, the Kent Food Bank was able to purchase fresh items in addition to turkey and chicken, including real butter, fresh celery and fresh sweet potatoes for the first time.”
In addition to collecting donations for the food bank, participating businesses will also be hosting a Turkey Challenge Coloring Contest for children age 13 and younger.
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