Turkey Drive feeds many

Last month, the Yale Police Department (YPD) held its fifth annual Turkey Drive. This successful event, spearheaded by Officer Martha Ross, provided turkeys and dinners for local families. Volunteers helped to fundraise money and collect donations that included almost 700 turkeys with all the trimmings—cranberry sauce, gravy, yams, pies, and more. Thanks to everyone’s kindness and generosity, approximately 2,300 people were able to have a Thanksgiving meal.

Thanks to a small but determined group of volunteers from Yale Public Safety, and the Yale and New Haven communities, all the holiday meals were safely distributed. Families were able to pick up turkeys at the Wexler-Grant School in New Haven. An additional 130 meal packages were delivered directly to families in need by first responders and volunteers. This year’s event looked a bit different, being completely contactless. Families drove through the school parking lot as volunteers placed the turkey and trimmings in their trunks.

Also, new for this year hot meals were delivered directly to several elderly and homebound residents on Thanksgiving Day. These were donated by Sandra’s Next Generation Restaurant.

Thanks to our partners from the City of New Haven, Yale Office of New Haven and State Affairs, Yale Hospitality, YARD, New Haven Police Department, New Haven Fire Department, New Haven Firebirds, New Haven Parks and Rec, New Haven Alders, Sandra’s Next Generation Restaurant, and Sheridan School.

Big thanks to all those who donated and all our volunteers. Without all of you this would not have happened.