Hundreds of frozen turkeys are desperately needed to ensure local heroes have a happy Thanksgiving. Donations are down for the Valor Clinic Foundation’s annual holiday meal distribution.

Volunteers inside the new Valor Clinic Foundation Food Pantry at the former Camp Trexler Cub Scout Dining Hall in Jonas are busy preparing boxes to be delivered to struggling veterans just in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

They have the potatoes, stuffing and all of the fixings. But the centerpieces for about half of the over 500 holiday meals are missing along with a favorite breakfast food.

Valor Clinic Foundation Holiday Meal Coordinator Susan Schwarz says, "We’re in pretty good shape with the nonperishables but the perishable items, we’re still in need of. We probably need about 250 more turkeys and 250 pounds of bacon."

It’s a call to help those who have sacrificed so much.

Schwarz says, "It means a lot to veterans to have this main dish because a lot of them just can’t afford it. They choose between paying the bills or putting the food on their table."

The founder understands the shortage is a result of being in the toughest economy the nonprofit has experienced yet. But he didn’t anticipate inflation impacting donations to this degree.

Valor Clinic Founder Mark Baylis says, "Now our planning model is a little off. We’re chasing making up the difference of the walk-in drop and so we’re crossing our fingers and saying our prayers and hoping it all comes together."

The next two days they’ll continue packing the meal boxes and then they’ll start to deliver on the 19th.

Baylis says, "We’re hoping the community comes out a little bit and maybe we can run out and purchase if we get that number down enough to make up the difference."

Time is of the essence. They’re asking anyone who can help to please drop off a turkey at the former Camp Trexler Cub Scout Dining Hall in Jonas between 9am and 3pm each day before this Sunday.