Ingleside Turkey Drive Collection Dates Announced

The SF Turkey Drive, now in its 12th year, continues to fight hunger during the holiday season.

Four people — including one dressed as a turkey — stand with a sign reading SF Turkey Drive.
Pierre Smit, center right, founde SF Turkey Drive in 2012. | Courtesy SF Turkey Drive.

The annual SF Turkey Drive has announced this year’s collection dates in Ingleside — along with an extra date at the San Francisco Zoo.

A charitable undertaking by longtime Ingleside resident Pierre Smit, the turkey drive has used the St. Emydius parking lot to collect food for the hungry every holiday season since 2012.

Originally the drive partnered with the St. Anthony Dining Room, but a new beneficiary had to be found this year after the St. Anthony Foundation changed its donation acceptance policy.

“Our new beneficiary, the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, has been fighting hunger in the local community since 1987,” Smit said in a news release. “Working toward the same goal, we are excited to bring the turkeys, hams, fresh vegetables and monetary donations that are collected at our food drives to the food bank.”

The Zoo requested that SF Turkey Drive hold a collection event on site. People who donate at the Zoo will get free parking as a perk.

Smit said he was inspired by working in the Tenderloin with unhoused people and low-income seniors to use the message "A Gift of Food is a Gift of Life" for this year's drive. Over the last three years, it's estimate the drive provided enough food to prepare over 160,000 meals for the hungry.

Here’s when and where the drive will accept frozen turkeys, hams and fresh vegetables to help feed the hungry:

  • Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Emydius, 350 De Montfort Ave.
  • Monday, Nov. 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the San Francisco Zoo (Sloat Boulevard and the Great Highway)
  • Saturday, Dec. 16, from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Emydius (350 De Montfort Ave.)

To make a donation online or sign up to volunteer, visit SF Turkey Drive’s website for more information.

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