Community Corner

Jack Bannan Memorial Turkey Trot Runs Through 8 p.m. Wednesday

It's not too late to help.

Through 8 p.m. Wednesday residents in the Farmington Valley area can help with the Jack Bannan Memorial Turkey Trot, an effort to help feed the needy during the holiday season. 

As of 2 p.m., organizers at Henry James School in Simsbury said a total of 863 turkeys had been collected. Their goal is to collect 3,500 turkeys and 2,400 pounds of non-perishable goods. 

It's not too late to help. Area residents can purchase and donate turkeys and non perishables through 8 p.m. at: 

Simsbury 
Kane's Market 
Stop and Shop 
Fitzgerald's 

Avon 
Big Y 
Miller Foods 

Granby 
Geissler's 
Stop & Shop 

Canton 
ShopRite 

Bloomfield
Geissler's 

Runners at each location are bringing the turkeys to the central collection area at Henry James Memorial School in Simsbury, 155 Firetown Road, Simsbury. Turkeys can also be dropped off directly at that site as well. 

Many schools, police departments and others are also helping with the collection, which helps Foodshare assist local families in need.  

The event is named after John T. "Jack" Bannan Sr., who died July 3, 2013. He started the drive in the early 1990s. 
 
Beth Clark, who is helping the efforts there with Steve Clark, said a lot of turkeys would be to surpass last year's 2,179 turkeys collected. 

"The best tribute would obviously be if we can outdo last year," she said. 

Gerard Buffo of Simsbury, another volunteer, has been helping for approximately 14 years. 

Find out what's happening in Simsburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"This time of year, food needs are greatest and people are most generous," he said. 

The late Bannan was inspired to help others in part due to the fact that he had been a Prisoner of War after the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. 

Find out what's happening in Simsburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 


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