MANNA launches Holiday Turkey Drive

Press release from MANNA FoodBank:

With food costs rising quickly, and thousands of families still turning to MANNA FoodBank and their pantry partners for regular support, MANNA is looking to provide as many households as possible with a celebratory table – and a large helping of hope – for the holidays.

“We’ve seen a staggering increase in the price of turkeys and hams since last year,” says Art Graff, Food Sourcing Director for MANNA. “The retail price of turkeys has increased over 20% in one year alone, making it even more out of reach for working families who are already struggling to afford the groceries they need on a day-to-day basis.”

“We continue to serve more families than before the pandemic – more than a 30% increase, even now,” says Mary Nesbitt, Chief Development Officer for MANNA. “We know how important it is for the families our network serves to be able to celebrate the holidays like everyone else—food is the centerpiece that brings friends and families together, and we want to bring our community together to help fill as many holiday tables as we can across WNC.”

MANNA hopes to collect hundreds of turkeys this year, and invites the community to join the effort by supporting the Turkey Drive. The community can give in two ways:

1.       Donate a frozen turkey, ham or other holiday table entrée to MANNA.
Donations will be accepted at
MANNA’s Volunteer Center (627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, NC 28805)
Monday – Friday, 9am–noon and 1–3pm

2.       Support MANNA’s efforts to purchase additional holiday turkeys and hams through a virtual food drive option, which can be found at mannafoodbank.org/turkey-drive.