The first Checotah Turkey Dinner Drive was a huge success, serving over 212 families.

It all started with the EBT scare that families wouldn’t have enough money for food this last month but it turned into a day of thankfulness for many.

Several local businesses rose to the call to help raise enough money to feed at least 200 families (with up to five family members) this year.

Their goal was $10,000, and they wanted to do more if possible and they did.

Organizer Rob Underhill stated, “We knew it would take roughly $50-60 for each family to enjoy turkey, yams, green beans, corn, turkey gravy, rolls and dessert and we had so many wonderful businesses and private donors come together to make this happen.

Underhill and lots of volunteers spent their day passing out all the fixings for a turkey feast last week, right before the holiday.

“All of the frozen turkeys were purchased locally from Watson Farms Meat Processing & Market LLC and at their cost and everything else we bought in bulk. It was a time of coming together to help those in need. It definitely made me grateful for my community.”