Fresno State’s annual Give-a-Gobbler campaign is just 80 turkeys short of its goal this holiday season to provide a bird and cranberry sauce to families who rely on the Poverello House, Bulldog Pantry and Community Food Bank for food.

A $25 donation from anyone who visits the Gibson Farm Market will ensure a 20-pound turkey and cranberry sauce for a needy family. Donations of $5 and $10 are being accepted in this year’s program for pooling to provide additional birds.

Give-a-Gobbler 2011 began Nov. 9 with a goal of 150 turkeys. By Thanksgiving, donations were sufficient to provide 70 turkeys. Now, the goal is 80 more turkeys by Dec. 23 when the three community benefit organizations pick up food for Christmas distribution.

The turkeys were raised by Fresno State animal science students on the University Agricultural Laboratory (campus farm) that is part of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.

The birds are processed and packaged by Zacky Farms and then sold through the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market (Chestnut and Barstow avenues) on the Fresno State campus.

The community is invited to visit the Gibson Farm Market to make donations or purchase a turkey or other student-produced foods and wine. The 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.

Checks also are accepted via mail made out to Fresno State Agricultural Foundation and sent to Dr. Ganesan Srinivasan, director of agricultural operations, Fresno State, 2385 E. Barstow Ave., M/S/ AG 85, Fresno, CA 93740.

For more information, contact Srinivasan at 559.278.2011 or gsrinivasan@csufresno.edu.

Related links:

Bulldog Pantry joins list of recipients for 5th Give a Gobbler