Hands of Hope says grant will cover holiday turkeys after supplier uncertainty

The pantry’s presenter said the new donation will help cover costs for the pantry’s holiday food program after the supplier that provided turkeys and similar items in previous years may be unable to do so. The presenter said that during Thanksgiving and Christmas the pantry gives recipients turkey, ham or chicken and that a prior supplier, identified in the transcript as "First First Choice," had supplied those products for the last two years.

"I don't think they're going to be able to do it this year," the presenter said of that supplier, noting the First Energy grant will help cover those needs. Pantry volunteers and local officials at the event described ongoing high demand, with Rob Kentos saying he visits the pantry frequently and praising the scale of operations.