In the Tuesday, Nov. 7, edition of the Butler Eagle, we learned of a problem facing a longtime food pantry that supports Butler County Community College students and their families.

BC3’s Pioneer Pantry is preparing to send home between 50 and 70 food boxes with BC3 students to make sure they and their families have a Thanksgiving meal. The boxes will include stuffing, green beans, cranberry and more, as well as bread and deserts donated by Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market and Mainstreet Bake Shop, both in Saxonburg.

But the organizers still need help. Mikayla Moretti, director of special events for BC3 and the BC3 Education Foundation, said finding turkeys to give away has been difficult.

“We’re trying to get a turkey donation or turkey reduced-cost options from somewhere local,” Moretti said. “Typically we purchase from a local butcher, but our costs have just skyrocketed. We just have not had any luck getting turkey.”

Thanksgiving is a holiday about plenty, and the efforts of the Pioneer Pantry help to make sure that no one goes hungry on a day about celebrating an abundance of food. And time is growing short. Thanksgiving is two weeks away and the food distribution has to happen even sooner, as BC3 is closed for the holiday.

The boxes are being packed next week and handed out Thursday, Nov. 16, and Friday, Nov. 17.

Moretti is hopeful for a turkey donation, and said if that doesn’t happen, the pantry may include gift cards with the food boxes.

Efforts like the Pioneer Pantry are an important way to ensure food security, something that is increasingly a concern both locally and nationwide.

This time of year is one where many people give to charity as a way to share what they have. To support the Pioneer Pantry, visit bc3.edu/about/support/. You can also make a donation to your local food bank, many of which will be putting together similar boxes for Thanksgiving.

— JK