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Season Of Thanks Arrives At Swissvale Community Food Pantry

SWISSVALE (KDKA) -- Every other Thursday is a busy day at the Swissvale Community Food Pantry.

Coordinator Nelson Kirksey keeps the line moving.

"We package probably 6,000 pounds a month," he says. "Food items."

The Food Pantry's Michelle O'Leary serves up potato pancakes, and a cooking lesson.

"I made it into a recipe of potato pancakes, sweet potato pancakes, so they could have a sample of it," she says. "So the food they receive, they're able to cook at home."

But this time of year, most visitors are talking turkey. Donors to the KDKA-TV Turkey Fund would love to put a turkey on every local table.

"It's a good cause, to help he people in this country first, you know, that need it," says Vietnam veteran Joseph Matta. "The ones that appreciate it and say, 'Thank you.'"

Kimberly Howard, accompanying her granddaughter, says the Turkey Fund is a big help.

"That's wonderful. That helps out a lot of people in the community that can't afford to get it," she said.

Clients won't actually pick up turkeys at the pantry. What they will get is a $15 gift voucher to take to Giant Eagle, thanks to the generosity of their neighbors and the Turkey Fund.

Pastor Dai Morgan of Swissvale United Methodist Church says the Turkey Fund leads clients to "look forward to the point where November is clearly our busiest month in the food pantry."

If you need further proof, just ask Grandmother Kimberly Howard.

"That's my favorite meal, turkey," she says.

The KDKA-TV Turkey Fund helps to put the "Happy" in Thanksgiving.

Click here to visit our KDKA-TV Turkey Fund page!

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