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Follow the frozen turkeys from CBC to the food bank

Ever wonder where those hundreds of frozen turkeys that are donated every year end up? We find out.

We tag along with Upper Room Food Bank manager, Mike MacDonald

Pat Martel · CBC News ·
The turkeys are flying out of the freezer at CBC as food bank manager Mike MacDonald hauls away another load of frozen birds. (Pat Martel/CBC)

What happens to those hundreds of frozen turkeys that people drop off at CBC P.E.I. as part of the Feed a Family campaign?

We followed the trail of the turkeys to find out.

"It's a busy time, but it's a good busy," said Mike MacDonald, now in his 15th year as manager of the Upper Room Food Bank.

Food bank manager Mike MacDonald carries out some of the hundreds of donated turkeys to his pickup truck. (Pat Martel/CBC)

Earlier in the campaign, MacDonald only needed to empty the CBC freezer once a day. 

Now, nearing the end of the campaign, MacDonald drops by every two hours.

Follow the frozen turkeys from CBC P.E.I. to the food bank

8 years ago
Duration 0:55
Follow the frozen turkeys from CBC P.E.I. to the food bank

'We love emptying these freezers out'

He'll haul more than a thousand frozen turkeys to the food bank over the course of the two weeks.

"We love emptying these freezers out," he said.

"You get a little tired, but you also get used to it, but I guess the more we get in, the more we're able to give out."

A man wheels a shopping cart of turkeys to the freezers in a warehouse room full of food.
Food bank manager Mike MacDonald wheels another shopping cart of turkeys to the freezers at the facility on Belmont Street in Charlottetown. (Pat Martel/CBC)

"The community certainly sees the need, especially at this time of the year when there are just way too many people struggling to make ends meet,' he said.

"We're fortunate we can help out in a least a little way to make their Christmases a little bit brighter." 

'You wouldn't know how much we appreciate it' 

On Monday, the food bank and numerous other organizations will start handing out food hampers across the province. 

MacDonald wanted to thank those who donated a turkey this holiday season. 

"You wouldn't know how much we appreciate it," he said.

Upper Room Food Bank manager Mike MacDonald stands in the walk-in freezer at the facility on Belmont street in Charlottetown. (Pat Martel/CBC)

"Without our donors we certainly wouldn't be able to do this, so a sincere thank you to everybody who donates — not just turkeys and not just at this time of the year, but all year round."

MacDonald also wanted to pass on his wishes to those who will receive a turkey this year. 

"And certainly to anybody depending on it, I hope you enjoy your Christmas and this certainly helps complete your Christmas for you."

One of the donors who dropped by with some turkeys on Thursday was Devin Coady from McInnis Cooper.

Devin Coady brings in a load of turkeys on behalf of the staff at McInnis Cooper in Charlottetown. (Pat Martel/CBC)

"We're picturing this in a family home somewhere and helping to create memories for that family, and we're very happy to be doing that," said Coady.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pat Martel

Former CBC journalist

Pat Martel worked as a journalist with CBC P.E.I. for three decades, mostly with Island Morning where he was a writer-broadcaster and producer. He retired in Oct. 2019.

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