This holiday season Fresno State will be giving back to the community in efforts to help the Poverello House and the Community Food Bank.

“With the economy how it is right now, we thought it was a good idea,â€Â Ganesan Srinivasan, director of agriculture operations, said.

The Give a Gobbler drive, which will continue until Dec. 23, supplies both organizations with turkeys donated by the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market at Fresno State. The university̢۪s effort responds to the need of the Central Valley̢۪s less fortunate in the difficult economic times.

President Welty set a goal of 100 turkeys to be donated to the two organizations. As of Tuesday, 50 turkeys had been purchased.

“The economic downturn has caused a sharp decline in food donations to charitable organizations that feed families in need throughout our region,â€Â Welty said in a press release. “Sadly, this shortage is happening when demand is up sharply because more people face hardship.â€Â

“This is the only place in town that sells the turkeys that are grown on the university,â€Â said Melody Jaime, an employee of the Farm Market.

The turkeys at the farm market usually run $1.19 per pound, which would be around $35 for a 25-pound turkey.

“With the $25 donation, the charities will get a whole turkey,â€Â Jaime said.

The money that is donated will be passed along to a local charity in the donor̢۪s name. The College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology and its University Agricultural Laboratory will deliver the turkeys on Dec. 23.

Poverello House is a private, nonprofit organization that has been serving the hungry of our community since 1973. Community Food Bank serves as the center of many agencies such as food pantries, shelters, and community kitchens.

Poverello House makes 1,200 to 1,400 meals a day and needs around 1,500 turkeys in its freezer by Jan. 1.

“This is an incredible collaboration,â€Â said Katherine Weakland, Poverello House development director. “Partnering with [Fresno State] can lead to continuous work, which is wonderful.â€Â

Srinivasan, proposed the idea to get people to contribute to charities.

“The partnership is intended to promote a better understanding of the poultry industry, as well as provide a well-rounded academic and practical experience for Fresno State ag students,â€Â Srinivasan said in a press release.

This is the ï¬Ârst year for the university will be working with both the Poverello House and Community Food Bank in efforts to help the needy during the holiday season. Fresno State partnered with the Poverello House for the first time last year, donating 50 turkeys to Poverello on its own.

“This is the ï¬Ârst year for this campaign,â€Â Srinivasan said. “This year we are asking people to give as well.â€Â

Through the Give A Gobbler drive, the community and the university will be able to provide for the Fresno community̢۪s hungry and less fortunate and support our agricultural program.