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SATURDAY December 6, 2003 - Subscribe - Contact Us Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels November 24, 2003 Turkey donations far below normal So far, Caring Friends has nine for holiday dinner By Bill Choy Ashland Daily Tidings Caring Friends is in great need of turkeys and other fixings for its popular Thanksgiving dinner. Because of a late start, the nonprofit group is drastically behind in the number of food donations it has received, Caring Friends founder Marty Bryant said this morning. While normally averaging about 100 turkeys this time of year, the group has only 9 turkeys and 5 hams so far. "We're very low this year due to the late start," Bryant said. "It's the lowest ever. We need a lot more turkeys to help the community" Normally, the group receives more than 200 turkeys each year. Many are given to local organizations, including the Ashland Food Bank and migrant farm workers. "Not one of the turkeys goes to waste," Bryant said. The Thanksgiving dinner, held from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday at the National Guard Armory on East Main Streets, attracts hundreds of people for the free meal. The event covers a wide range of community members, including the elderly, shut-ins, college students, those on a low income and the homeless. Bryant said he is confident people will come together at the last minute and help out. "We'll get enough items," he said. "Ashland is a very caring community and has been very supportive. "It's a needed event. It shows the community people care, have love for others, and don't mind sharing what they have." Besides turkeys, the group needs other items like stuffing and other food items to go along with the meal. Last month, Bryant was concerned Caring Friends could fold due to a lack of volunteers for its weekly events. Bryant said they were able to receive more volunteers and will continue. There were always enough volunteers during Thanksgiving, and the annual Thanksgiving event would have continued regardless, he said. The group offers a weekly meal at Pioneer Hall for the homeless and those on a low-income, and has volunteers deliver meals to shut-ins. The group also assists those displaced in disasters like floods and fires. To donate to the Thanksgiving event, call 482-9634, or 245-6980. Turkeys and hams can also be dropped off at O'Ryans Irish Pub at 137 E. Main St. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Road Cams