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With 6,592 turkeys collected, the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services 2009 second-annual Turkey Drive will make Thanksgiving for many Sacramento families' a bit brighter.

Despite heavy rain and winds, volunteers collected turkeys and directed the lines of cars that pulled up to the food bank Friday.

As the rain fell continuously, donors stayed dry in the drive-through drop-off while volunteers retrieved turkeys.

"I knew I had to donate this year because there are so many people out of work and struggling just to pay their bills," said Roseville resident Karrin Segur. "Everyone deserves to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families, and shouldn’t have to worry about feeding their families on one of the most special days of the year."

Volunteers kept a turkey count from 4:30 a.m., when the drive began, to its end at 7 p.m. Last year, 2,766 turkeys were collected. This year's goal was 3,000.

The food bank helps families throughout the year, but the holidays are an especially important time. The food bank's mission is for every family to be able to spend Thanksgiving together and have a traditional meal. In addition to turkeys, the food bank also encouraged donations of other Thanksgiving food items.

Distribution of holiday boxes full of turkey and all the fixings began early Monday and will continue through Tuesday afternoon. Each box contains a turkey, fresh produce, dry mashed potatoes, canned foods and stuffing mix.

To show the impact a small donation to the food bank can make for a family this Thanksgiving, a volunteer wore a poster listing all of the items that can be purchased with a $7.23 donation to the food bank.

To receive a box, a member from each family lined up beginning at 7:30 a.m. and received a ticket for one box. All holiday boxes are the same size regardless of family size and will be distributed until the food bank runs out.

The food bank's annual Run to Feed the Hungry will take place on Thanksgiving to help even more families in need.

For more information about resources available, visit the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services website at www.sacramentofoodbank.org

All images courtesy of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services