Branford Food Pantry's (BFP) Wendy Cowles and Jay Webb are talking turkey – the need for about 500 frozen turkeys, that is. That's the number Cowles, BFP president, and Webb, BFP vice president, are rallying the community to donate right now.

The big number of birds is needed to allow BFP to stuff 250 Thanksgiving and 250 Christmas food baskets to deliver to Branford families and seniors in need this holiday season. It's all part of all-volunteer BFP's annual effort to fill baskets with turkey and all the trimmings that go into making a memorable holiday meal for Branford residents who would otherwise have to do without.

Operating from the lower level of the Patricia C. Andriole Volunteer Services Center at 30 Harrison Ave., BFP's freezers can hold enough turkeys for both holidays and the sooner they arrive, the better, said Cowles. One year late in the game, the pantry didn't receive enough frozen turkey donations and birds were scarce in stores, leaving Cowles with no choice but to purchase Thanksgiving chickens, instead. The pantry is also hoping to drive in plenty of donations of non-perishable fixings for the meals (pie crust mix, Jell-O, coffee, etc.). The completed baskets will include a frozen turkey and about 20 pounds of groceries and fresh produce (obtained by BFP) for each client. Volunteers, including Branford High School students at Thanksgiving time, will deliver the baskets to clients' homes.

Donated frozen turkeys and non-perishable items can be dropped off at BFP, 30 Harrison Ave., Tuesdays and Fridays between 8 - 11 a.m. now through Tues. Dec. 18. BFP can also make special arrangements to collect larger donations; please call Webb at (203) 215-3533.

In addition to providing full turkey dinners for residents in need on Thanksgiving and Christmas, BFP's main mission is to give groceries to Branford families in need year-round.

This year, "...our number of clients we're serving has gone up [to] around 210 different families a month and we're serving about 520 client visits a month," said Webb.

The increase, which is about 10 percent more families over last year, averages out to distributing 16,705 pounds of food per month; or 200,460 pounds for the year. Speaking of increases, this summer, BFP also provided families with more protein by implementing special monthly, summer-themed food packs; such as hamburgers, hot dogs or chicken with the fixings. Offering more protein was an added expense to BFP's bottom line, but with the community's support, BFP hopes to continue offering the protein theme-packs throughout the year.  A great way to help is by contributing to BFP's annual Fall Fund Drive, underway now. Residents, organizations and businesses are encouraged donate any amount -- BFP can stretch donated dollars by purchasing many grocery staples for pennies on the dollar through the Connecticut Food Bank. Checks made out to Branford Food Pantry can be mailed to 30 Harrison Ave., Branford, CT 06405.

BFP is also spreading the word that Branford families having a difficult financial time can sign up to receive free Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner baskets.

For Thanksgiving baskets, call the Food Pantry Holiday Hotline at (203) 315-8251 after Thurs. Nov. 1 and before Fri. Nov.16; baskets will be delivered on Tues. Nov. 20.For Christmas baskets, call the hotline after Sat. Dec. 1 and before Fri. Dec. 14; baskets will be delivered on Thurs. Dec. 20. 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. Residents need to be at their homes to accept the food delivery.

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