Fresno State’s fifth Give a Gobbler campaign to provide turkeys for the region’s neediest families during the winter holidays got a big boost from RCO Ag Credit Inc.
The company’s CEO and president Mitchell Metzler and CFO Gene Ney brought checks to the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market at Fresno State that will pay for 80 student-raised turkeys, to be distributed through Bulldog Pantry, the Community Food Bank and Poverello House. Metzler and Ney are Fresno State alumni.
RCO Ag Credit’s generosity brought the turkey donations for the Give a Gobbler drive this year to over 165, surpassing the original goal of 150 turkeys.
Dr. Ganesan Srinivasan, director of Fresno State agricultural operations, said, “With this generous gift helping us reach our initial goal two weeks ahead of schedule, we decided to raise the goal to 200 turkeys.
“Support for this program is strong,” he added, “and we are confident that the community will be inspired by this gift to help us provide in excess of 200 turkeys to the hungry and needy this holiday season.”
He encouraged the community to continue visiting the Gibson Farm Market at Chestnut and Barstow avenues and participate in Give-a-Gobbler by donating $25 for a turkey or $5 or $10 to go with other donations to purchase additional turkeys for distribution.
Donors also can send a check made out to the Fresno State Agricultural Foundation and addressed to Director, Agricultural Operations, 2385 E. Barstow Ave., M/S AG85, Fresno, CA 93740.
The Give a Gobbler program ends Dec. 23.
“Fresno County has the highest poverty rate in the state, and with the soaring price of turkey in the stores, many families are hard-pressed this holiday season”” Srinivasan added. “So it’s gratifying that we have the opportunity to help more than we originally intended and we anticipate that people will be generous.”
The turkeys were raised by Fresno State animal science students in the campus farm, then processed and packaged by Zacky Farms, Fresno. The turkeys are also available for sale at the Gibson Farm Market, which stocks other student-made products such as wine, olive oil, ice cream, meats, nuts and raisins along with farm-fresh produce for holiday tables or for gift giving.
The Gibson Farm Market is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, contact Srinivasan at 559.278.4235 or gsrinivasan@csufresno.edu.
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