The Northeast Community Center in Bethlehem held the first day of its annual turkey giveaway Nov. 20, handing out frozen turkeys, bags filled with all the fixings for a Thanksgiving Day dinner, and personal hygiene items. One hundred fifty turkeys flew out the door to preregistered beneficiaries of the initiative, according to NECC Executive Director Paula Johnson.

“This is my 11th year doing it,” said Johnson, who noted that the 45-year-old agency has been doing it well before her time with the center.

She said community support is key. Just Born employees provide financial support and turkeys are purchased from Jaindl’s at a nonprofit discount rate. A second day of turkey giveaways was scheduled Nov. 24 with 100 turkeys generously provided by New Bethany Ministries.

Johnson also credits Bethlehem area churches, East Hills, Advent and Edgeboro Moravian churches, St. Stephen’s and Epworth United Methodist for collecting donations for the meal sides. Private donors also contribute to the cause.

With 755 plus public housing units surrounding the NECC, and interruption in SNAP benefits due to government shutdown, “there has been a huge surge in need,” Johnson said, also noting the recent demand on the agency’s food pantry.