Charity, food bank team for turkeys

St. Johns — Clark County Food Bank’s warehouse is stuffed with more than 3,000 frozen turkeys, which were set aside to help families in need celebrate Thanksgiving with a succulent feast. Northwest Harvest South spent $18,400, and the food bank covered the rest of the cost of more than $33,000 in turkeys at Safeway. For nearly 20 years, Northwest Harvest, a nonprofit charity started in 1984, has purchased thousands of turkeys every fall for the food bank to distribute. “This, I think, is our biggest turkey purchase ever,” said Lynne Helmke, Northwest Harvest South board president. “We are hoping every family that wants a turkey will get one.” The food bank helps feed an average of 33,000 people each year.