Oct 1, 2014 2 min read

The 2000 Turkeys campaign revved into gear Wednesday, when Blue Knights Motorcycle Club Chapter 16 and Washington Lodge 164 Free and Accepted Masons donated $2,500 toward the drive.

All of the donations are used to provide a Thanksgiving dinner for the approximately 5,400 Washington County families who are struggling to put food on their tables every day.

“With the money we’ve raised from our annual Blue Ride, we’re able to donate to more than 30 charities, and one of them is 2000 Turkeys. We’re happy to donate to 2000 Turkeys, which helps a lot of people,” said Dave Richards, a member of the Blue Knights and a North Strabane Township police officer. “The best part of raising this money is being able to give it away to groups like 2000 Turkeys.”

2000 Turkeys began in 1983 as a seasonal food campaign to help the unemployed and underemployed, and has grown into an annual tradition for individuals, companies, schools and organizations looking to help those in need celebrate the holiday.

“That’s the beauty of 2000 Turkeys. It started out as a grassroots effort and it’s maintained that flavor over the years,” said Grace Hopwood, one of the 2000 Turkeys founders and a member of the organization’s board.

Every $15 raised provides a Thanksgiving dinner for a family of four. Over the past three decades, 2000 Turkeys has raised more than $1 million.

2000 Turkeys is the largest single fundraiser on behalf of Washington County Food Bank and its neighboring pantries.

The food bank established qualification guidelines for families who receive the Thanksgiving dinners.

The campaign’s goal is to raise $100,000, and the drive runs through Thanksgiving.

“Whenever the need has been there, the people of Washington County have come through,” said state Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, a member of the 2000 Turkeys board.

If you would like to donate to the 2000 Turkeys campaign, please send checks, payable to “2000 Turkeys,” to 2000 Turkeys, P.O. Box 2000, Washington, PA 15301.