The process began Monday for the free community Thanksgiving Day feast in Manteca.
About 200 turkeys arrived at the Manteca Unified district complex via Second Harvest Food Bank for prepping of the free meals at Mountain Mike’s Pizza, 1120 N. Main St.
The Thanksgiving Day meals will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Last year, we fed 1,600 people (in need),” said Tevani Liotard, who indicated that the donations are usually enough to handle 1,500 or more.
Retired Manteca Police Chief and Manteca Rotarian Charlie Halford and Liotard were on hand for the turkey drop-off at the be.tech area.
Students of the boundless education academies – a tuition-free, dependent charter school program of MUSD – along with district administrators including Superintendent Jason Messer are among those scheduled to help out with the brining of the Thanksgiving turkeys, according to Liotard, who is the Elementary PE Coordinator at MUSD.
The prep work will take place at various sites around the district.
The Thanksgiving Day event is a coordinated effort involving MUSD, Manteca Rotary, Manteca Sunrise Kiwanis, Manteca Police Chief Foundation, and the Interact Club of Manteca.
“This community (Thanksgiving) event helps bridge the gap between the school district and the local service organizations – we’re all working together with a common goal of feeding those in need,” Liotard said.
Volunteers are needed, especially for clean up.
Those interested in helping out can call 209.825.4331 or log on to www.wecookturkeys@comcast.net.
Donations are also helpful in offsetting the cost of meal supplies.
In addition, church groups or other local groups can pre-order meals for needy families available for pick-up or drive-through (call 209.823.1166 beforehand).
Meals will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.