While many prepared to feast for Thanksgiving, a group of Temple students and staff spent the first two days of the holiday break packing gift baskets for the university’s neighbors.

A joint venture between Community Relations and Campus Safety Services, Temple’s annual turkey drive feeds more than 300 families each year.

“I’ve gotten to know a lot of our neighbors over the years,” said Capt. Eileen Bradley, project coordinator for Campus Safety Services. “I look forward to this time of year. It gives me a chance to reconnect and gives us an opportunity to give back to the community that we live in.”

On the Monday afternoon before Thanksgiving, more than a dozen volunteers packed more than 100 boxes with fresh turkeys and sides. Once boxes were packed and sealed, the team of volunteers delivered them to neighbors, nonprofits and churches.

Milton Pollard, who lives a few blocks away from Main Campus on Bouvier Street, helped transport gift baskets to families throughout North Central Philadelphia. 

“This makes the holiday season a little easier for our neighbors,” Pollard said as he loaded the back of his car with boxes for delivery.

The remainder of the gift baskets were delivered to Beckett Life Center, Norris Homes, St. Malachy’s Church and a select group of local residents, including senior citizens, in North Philadelphia.

“We are tired but inspired,” said Andrea Swan, SMC ’98, CLA ’11,  director of community and neighborhood affairs in the Office of Community Relations. “It's been a joy helping families celebrate the holidays.”