The Buffalo Sabres announced they will partner with Wegmans and Entercom Buffalo for a Thanksgiving turkey drive on Thursday, Nov. 16, to benefit local food pantries. The turkey drive will take place from 6-9 a.m. in the following locations:
- KeyBank Center surface lot (Enter lot from Baltimore Street, via Perry Street)
- Wegmans in Amherst (675 Alberta Drive)
- Wegmans in West Seneca (370 Orchard Park Road)
"The Sabres organization feels it is our responsibility to the community of Buffalo to help try and give every family a chance to enjoy a warm Thanksgiving dinner," Sabres President Russ Brandon said. "We can't thank our fans enough for their generous donations to 'Turkeys for Tickets' throughout the years. We look forward to seeing our fans out again this year supporting their community."
The annual Thanksgiving turkey drive returns this season after collecting more than 2,000 turkeys last year.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with the Buffalo Sabres on Turkeys for Tickets," said Michele Mehaffy, Buffalo consumer affairs manager for Wegmans. "For many in Western New York, feeding their families is a daily struggle. This helps fill a need, and brings families together to share a meal on Thanksgiving."
For every 20-pound turkey dropped off, or the equivalent of a 20-pound turkey, the Sabres will give the donor two tickets to an upcoming game. Tickets (maximum of four per person) will be distributed immediately at the drop-off sites.
"We are so grateful for the support of the Buffalo Sabres, Wegmans and the WNY community as we all work together to make sure that no one goes hungry this holiday season," said Tara Ellis, president and CEO of the Food Bank of WNY. "Thousands of our neighbors in need are assisted in the three short hours of this event; it is a truly beautiful thing to see."
All of the donated turkeys will directly benefit the Buffalo City Mission and the Food Bank of WNY.
"On Thanksgiving morning, through our annual 'Turkey Express' event, the Buffalo City Mission, along with 250 volunteers, will prep, package and deliver a hot Thanksgiving meal to 6,000 housebound, poor and hungry individuals and families throughout the Western New York area. We are thankful to the Buffalo Sabres for once again providing turkeys to help make this endeavor possible another year," said Stuart Harper, CEO and executive director of the Buffalo City Mission. "Last year alone, the Buffalo City Mission provided over 171,000 meals and over 79,000 nights of safe sleep shelter. With homelessness increasing 9 percent last year and expected to rise again this year, the need is so great."
The Food Bank of WNY provides food to 330 member agencies, such as food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and group homes in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. Monthly, through these agencies, it serves approximately 106,000 individuals, including 39,000 families, nearly 37,000 children and over 11,000 seniors.
The Buffalo City Mission, founded in 1917, is a nonprofit organization that provides preventative, emergency and transitional programs to thousands of people who are homeless and impoverished. The mission includes a women and children's shelter (Cornerstone Manor); the Men's Community Center; and Dick Road thrift store to serve the Western New York community. For more information, visit
www.buffalocitymission.org or call 716-854-8181.
