GREENSBURG, Pa., Oct. 18 (UPI) -- A Pittsburgh-area food bank says that donations are down sharply, so about 7,000 families will have to go without Thanksgiving turkeys.
Jennifer Miller of the Westmoreland County Food Bank told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that donations are about $55,000 short. She blames Hurricane Katrina, which has sucked up many charitable gifts that might have gone to the food bank, and high gas prices.
"We are not financially able to provide turkey vouchers for families for the first time ever. I'd say, for the first time in at least 10 years," Miller said.
The organization had been planning to give families $10 vouchers for turkeys.
The food bank also has less food to give away because of the drop in donations, cuts in federal and state aid and an increase in people seeking assistance.
"Every time there is a national emergency, the federal funding seems to dry up a little on the local level," said Robert Eberhardt, president of the board. "The hurricane relief money and donations are going in that direction when they would have typically gone to local organizations."
