Fort Worth food bank needs turkeys to hand out for Thanksgiving

Feeding people every day is what the Fort Worth Community Food Bank does. But Thanksgiving is its biggest challenge and this year the demand is taxing the supply.

The food bank says it will help about 5,000 people in 2017, a few hundred more than last year. Officials say what they need are turkeys to give out to people in need.

The food bank has no boundaries and turns no one away. Some of the people who come by are single parents who work two jobs -- and it’s not enough.

"Might be working Christmas and Thanksgiving morning and night,” said mother of five Vanessa Rodgers. “I'm gonna cook the day before that way my kids wake up and they can snack and eat all day and have Thanksgiving while I'm at work."

Hundreds have been lining up each day to sign up for vouchers for Thanksgiving meals. The Community Food Bank needs more than 1,000 turkeys.

Ben Langis walked up on Wednesday and donated 20 turkeys to help the cause.

“It's the right thing to do,” Langis said.

Corporate sponsors help, but it's ordinary people who put the food bank over the finish line every year.

"We had a lady in a cab -- she had 3 turkeys, 6 stuffings and cranberry sauce,” said Regena Taylor, Community Food Bank.

The Community Food Bank already provides food to 600 people every day. Many at the center on Wednesday plan to be back next Monday and Tuesday when the turkeys are distributed.

"Thanksgiving is with your loved ones all around you, but a turkey would really help,” said great grandmother Shirley Dukes.