THANKSGIVING WITHOUT TURKEY? FOR THE MOST NEEDY, VERY POSSIBLE

Most folks can't even think of Thanksgiving dinner without the traditional turkey. Even the most needy who rely on the free holiday dinner provided by a charity or church couldn't think of such a thing.

But it's very possible this year in Polk County, according to this story in the Lakeland Ledger.

It seems that turkey production is down, and therefore prices have shot up during the past year. The availability of turkey product is expected to be much tighter, lessening the amount that grocers and suppliers will have to donate to food banks. Another factor is that much of the nation's food surplus is being diverted to the Central Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

For instance, Garden Grove Assembly of God in Winter Haven plans to give away 2,000 food baskets this Thanksgiving. The church scrapped the idea of including small, frozen turkeys in every bag because of the inflated price.

"We would love to have turkeys," said the Rev. Frank Hawley of Garden Grove Assembly. "We will have some turkey, but we'll also have ham and (chicken) roasters."

Area food banks, normally fat with boxes of frozen turkey this time of year, have dwindling supplies.

Paul Cahill of Cahill Ministries Food Bank in Lakeland said he recently got a free shipment of 300 cases of frozen turkey breasts, but the demand is so high he has only 75 cases remaining.

He charges 40 cents a pound to cover freight and handling costs.

Cahill does, however, have plenty of frozen chicken -- 440 cases to be exact.

"Churches and nonprofits are usually giving out turkeys," he said, "but people who are needy will eat hamburger and ham.

"The problem extends to other goods -- canned vegetables, fruit and other staples that go into holiday food baskets for the needy.