Task Force helps with holiday turkey donations

GREENFIELD — The Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region is teaming up with Big Y Foods to lighten the load faced by some during the holiday season. Until Thanksgiving, the task force will distribute 200 turkeys throughout the region to community organizations and families in need.

“Every year, we have people calling the Salvation Army asking if we have turkeys to donate,” said Scott Peabody, captain and commanding officer of the Salvation Army of Greenfield. “Being able to provide this service is a great thing for our community. We want to make sure that everyone can have a nice Thanksgiving meal together.”

The donations come as the result of support on behalf of Big Y, coupled with charitable donations to the Task Force since its founding in 2013.

Task Force co-chairs Franklin County Register of Probate John F. Merrigan, Franklin County Sheriff Christopher J. Donelan, and Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan want to address the challenges of food insecurity that are often felt more strongly during the holiday season, especially in rural regions.

A portion of the donations will be going to The RECOVER Project, The Recovery Learning Community, the North Quabbin Community Coalition and the Greenfield Salvation Army.

Michael Lewis, director of the RECOVER Project, said the donations represent the strong community connections that are embedded in Franklin County. “We deeply appreciate the Opioid Task Force’s support and partnership in the complex and multifaceted effort to support long-term recovery in Franklin County. We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue to work toward recovery for all and would like to thank the Task Force for their donation of turkeys to our recovery family for the Thanksgiving holiday.”