Penrose food pantry needs dozens more turkeys for Thanksgiving, in light of donation shortage

PENROSE, Colo. (KRDO) - A food pantry in Fremont County is asking for donations from southern Coloradans for turkeys and other Thanksgiving foods, to deliver to their community members, as they've fallen short on donations this holiday season.

My Neighbor's Cupboard, located in Penrose, say that they have 200 families signed up to receive their distribution of Thanksgiving dinner items, however, they fell short on supply by just under 60 turkeys this year.

The pantry usually sources their meals from Care and Share food bank in El Paso County, however due to a lack of donations this year, they were only able to provide 147 turkeys for families during their latest distribution this past weekend.

"We've got not only people on a wait list, but we have people that we're already supposed to to get help with dinner, and we didn't have enough to be able to do that." explained Amanda Suddoth, the CEO of My Neighbors Cupboard.

Their sign-up list is comprised of seniors, veterans and working class families.

"We are the only option out here for a lot of older folks who don't drive and don't have the means of doing so." said Suddoth.

Volunteers say the situation has weighed on them, by not being able to provide that needed support for those in the great Penrose area.

"I was specifically handing out the turkeys [this weekend] and it really broke my heart to see the people that I had to say, hey, I can't give you  as much as you signed up for." explained Hannah Pike, a first-time volunteer with the pantry.

For another volunteer, Tamara Powers, she and her mother who is a veteran used My Neighbors Cupboard for a period of time, before joining the non-profit because they believed in their mission.

She says that having been on both sides of a food pantry line, she understands how difficult the shortage falls on those within the community. That's why, she and other volunteers didn't hesitate to give up what they were going to take home for the holiday themselves, to give to others instead.

"They needed the joy and that blessing more than we did, and so the volunteers, [we] were like, nope. We'll get what we get, and that's it, and give it back… what we can." she explained about the decision.

Now, Suddoth, Pike and Power, are asking for anything to help them put food on the table for those still in need these next few days.

"Even if it's just a box of stuffing from the dollar store. Box of stuffing on somebody's table with the rest of a dinner is a beautiful gift, and it shows them that they're loved and that they're not forgotten." said Suddoth.

The CEO stated that KRDO13's article from Saturday morning, explaining the situation the pantry is in, led to a group in Pueblo donating several turkeys to them later that day.

You can contact My Neighbors Cupboard here through their Facebook page, to either make a monetary donation, or drop off items, if you'd like.