It's an anxious time of year for residents worried about putting a Thanksgiving meal on the table; and for the volunteers at Branford Food Pantry (BFP) who want to help them. As many as 250 Branford households are counting on community donations to BFP to fill holiday baskets to give their families a traditional Thanksgiving meal, said BFP President Wendy Cowles.

"It's important that all families have an opportunity to enjoy the traditional holiday dinners, and we know from our recipients that these groceries make a big difference," said Cowles. "In fact, when we deliver to our clients we receive tremendous gratitude and often hear remark such as, 'There really will be a Thanksgiving this year!'"

In addition to requesting Thanksgiving meals, just about the same number of Branford families will also seek all-volunteer, non-profit BFP's assistance to receive a free Christmas dinner basket.

Between the two holidays, the needed numbers add up to BFP's call to the community to help drive in donations of at least 500 frozen turkeys, as soon as possible. Donations of non-perishable fixings for the meals (pie crust mix, Jello, coffee, etc.) are also needed.

Just as importantly, BFP is appealing to the community respond to BFP's annual Fall Fund Drive. The funding enables BFP to purchase food from the Connecticut Food Bank for pennies on the dollar, and supplements needed retail grocery purchases.

Established in 1978 as the Branford Food Council, BFP provides weekly groceries to Branford families in need as well as full turkey dinners for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last year, BFP helped an average of 179 families (about 500 people) per month and over 250 different families for the year, by distributing an average of 15,035 pounds of food per month and 185,400 pounds for the year.

Residents, organizations and businesses can make a monetary donation to BFP's Fall Fund Drive by mail. Checks may be made out to Branford Food Pantry can be mailed to 30 Harrison Ave., Branford, CT 06405.

In addition to seeking Fall Fund Drive responses, Cowles said it's a critical time for frozen turkey donations to start rolling in, so that BFP's freezer will be stocked and ready. As BFP has experienced in the past, finding turkeys at the last-minute due to low contributions isn't easy – in fact, one year, BFP had to substitute chickens for some families, instead, said Cowles.

The baskets are delivered annually by volunteers who fan out into the community. Each year, a large group of Branford High School students arrive at BFP to help regular volunteers with Thanksgiving deliveries.

Residents, organizations and businesses are encouraged to help make it another successful year by donating to BFP's fall fund drive by contributing turkeys and non-perishable dinner items. Checks may be made out to Branford Food Pantry can be mailed to 30 Harrison Ave., Branford, CT 06405.

Donations of frozen turkeys (smaller turkeys are best, as many families have small ovens) and non-perishable items can be dropped off at BFP in the Patricia C. Andriole Volunteer Services Center, 30 Harrison Ave., Tuesdays and Fridays between 8:30 -11 a.m., now through December 18.  BFP can also make special arrangements to collect larger donations; please call BFP Vice President Jay Webb at (203) 215-3533.

Branford families having a difficult financial time are asked to call BFP November 1 through November 17 to request a free Thanksgiving turkey dinner food basket, delivered to their home on November 21. For Christmas meal baskets, please call by December 17 (delivered on Dec. 22). BFP requests resident leave a message with full name, address (please also spell name and address) and contact phone where they can be reached at the time of delivery.

For more information about the Branford Food Pantry and its efforts, visit www.branfordfoodpantry.org.