Salvation Army receives turkey donation

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – A few weeks ago WHIZ-TV ran a story on The Salvation Army needing at least 60 turkeys donated for their Thanksgiving meal.

The Zanesville Fire Department and Dutro’s Ford Lincoln Nisan Inc. saw that plea and decided to join forces to purchase 60 turkeys for the Salvation Army. November 16, 2017 Fire trucks made their way down to the Salvation Army with their sirens blazing just to drop the turkeys off.

“We were in our class having a bible class yesterday when I heard sirens outside of our building, lo and behold it was the Zanesville Fire Department along with [Dutro Ford Lincoln Nisan Inc.],” Salvation Army’s Director George Bates said. “Without our community let’s face it the Salvation Army could not do anything.”

Bates acknowledged since their plea aired people have brought in turkeys. So with all the donations the Salvation Army has about 160 turkeys and they’re now working to see if extra turkeys can be handed out to families for the holiday.

“At Christmas we give out about 1,200 food boxes for about 500 families,” Bates said. “This year we’re going to see if we can keep this going and have a turkey for every family this year. So we probably still need around 350 or 400 turkeys this year.

Dutro’s General Sales Manager Mark Falls exclaimed everyone involved is happy to help the community in this way.

“We want to take care of the community we’re all about the downtown and the community of downtown,” Falls said. “To be a part of the community. So it’s a great relationship with the Zanesville Fire Department, Zanesville Police Department, Safety Board, and all those guys over there. It’s worked well and there is going to be more to come.”

Assistant Fire Chief Doug Hobson wants the community to stay tuned for more collaborations in December.

“Also partnering with [Dutro Ford Lincoln Nisan Inc.], Zanesville Fire Department, and Zanesville Police Department in the near future on a couple of Saturdays in December we’re going to be doing food and toy drives at Dutro’s new building.”