The Hockanum Valley Community Council has firmed up the times and drop-off locations for its emergency holiday food drive this weekend.
And donations are starting to roll in to its food pantry, CEO David Engelson said on Wednesday.
One huge donation was a company bringing in 300 turkeys.
"The owner saw the story on the Patch and brought the turkeys in," he said, referring to a Tuesday posting on the Vernon, Tolland and Ellington-Somers Patches, the three areas the HVCC food pantry serves. "This is tremendous."
Meg Scranton of Vernon's Scranton Motors dropped off a $2,000 check from the Greater Hartford Automobile Association.
A crew from Kloter Farms put together 50 meals.
He said there have been many smaller donations so far.
HVCC is conducting what Engelson is calling an "emergency holiday food drive" this weekend, beginning Friday.
The HVCC office at 29 Naek Rd. will be open at 9 a.m. all three days and drop-offs can be made until 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. on Sunday and 6 p.m. on Monday.
Both Vernon Stop & Shop locations will have drop-off stations set up Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Area resident Steve Linton has again borrowed a truck trailer and will have it parked at 428 Hartford Turnpike from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in an attempt to fill it with food.
"The response has been overwhelming so far," Engelson said.
HVCC started accepting the adoptions of families on Monday.
Here is what sponsorship entails:
Family of three to four:
• A 20- to 22-pound turkey.
• A large box of mashed potatoes or 5 pounds of fresh potatoes.
• A large box of stuffing.
• Two large cans of turkey gravy.
• Two cans of yams or sweet potatoes.
• A can of cranberry sauce.
• Two large cans of fruit.
• Two large cans of vegetables.
• A box of cake, cookies or brownie mix.
• A can of frosting if cake mix is donated.
• A package of dinner roles.
• Breakfast bread or muffin mix.
A bonus would be pancake mix and syrup for breakfast, Engelson said.
Engelson said HVCC has many single clients, most of the seniors.
He said the suggested donation for a single person or small family is a small turkey or roasting chicken or chicken breast and one can or box of each item listed above.
Engelson said the pantry is also in need of peanut butter and will always accept a gift card.
Engelson says he has a need to feed 725 families for Thanksgiving and 850 families for Christmas.
To inquire about making a donation, call 860-872-7727.
