Manitoba Turkey Producers and poultry producer Exceldor Cooperative have donated $10,000 worth of turkey to the local Helping Hands foodbanks.

As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be felt, food insecurity remains high and the demands on local foodbanks has only increased. Niverville Helping Hands alone has seen an increase in demand of over 50 percent.

“Thousands of families across Manitoba have been affected greatly due to the pandemic, including those in our rural communities,” says Rachelle Brown, chairperson of Manitoba Turkey Producers. “We’re very excited to be partnering with Exceldor Cooperative and working with our farmers to be putting back locally produced turkey into our communities who need it most.”

So how many turkeys can you get for $10,000? That’s the big question. Together, the two organizations have provided 576 whole frozen turkeys, each weighing between four and five kilograms. The turkeys were sourced from the Exceldor Cooperative plant in Blumenort.

“In this time of uncertainty, it’s important for us to give back to our community,” says Rod Harder, General Manager of Western Operations at Exceldor. “We understand that many families across Manitoba have been greatly impacted by the pandemic and we want to ensure we are doing our part the help our community.”

The donation will be shared between the foodbank’s three primary locations: Steinbach, Niverville, and Grunthal. These foodbanks serve a critical need by providing emergency supplies and food to people in more than 25 communities.

“Niverville Helping Hands was ecstatic to hear that we were chosen as one of the local food hampers to receive a donation of turkeys. This is a massive help to our clients,” says Lillis Corriveau of Niverville Helping Hands. “Since COVID-19, we have moved to strictly a nonperishable hamper. Having properly packaged, inspected, and frozen meat allows our clients to use the grocery vouchers we provide them to purchase fresh veggies, bread, and cheese or whatever else they are lacking. It helps make both the hampers and vouchers go further.”