As those associated with the Buffalo Sabres sit down to eat dinner today, they’ll do so with the knowledge that they’ve helped ensure it will be a happy thanksgiving for those in need. In fact, there will be a lot of people in Western New York who will likely be giving thanks to the Sabres.
That’s because Buffalo held their second annual Thanksgiving turkey drive Wednesday morning. Fans were encouraged to donate 20-pound turkeys in exchange for two tickets to an upcoming home game.
Buffalo Sabres Fans Do Their City Proud
Turkeys were dropped off at the TOPS Market location on Young Street in Tonawanda and the surface parking lot at First Niagara Center. In total more than 2,200 were donated by the general public.
“@BuffaloSabres: “Turkeys For Tickets” update: 2,220 20-pound turkeys donated” Amazing!! Thank you #Buffalo! pic.twitter.com/iOswe8BHaS
— Food Bank of WNY (@FoodBankofWNY) November 26, 2014
The response was even more impressive than last year, when more than 1,700 turkeys were collected. The turkeys were donated to the Buffalo City Mission and the Food Bank of Western New York.
Sabres President Ted Black Grateful
Sabres president Ted Black expressed his gratitude to the Buffalo media: “For the second year in a row, we are amazed by the generosity of Western New Yorkers. “With the holiday season upon us, there is always a critical need at the Buffalo City Mission and the Food Bank of WNY to help the neediest members of our region and the response was tremendous with more than 40,000 pounds of turkey donated.”
Black also gave thanks to those who helped put the drive together: “We are grateful to our partners at TOPS and Entercom for helping us get the word out and reminding us what a special community we live in.”
Sabres Fan Food Drive
The Sabres efforts to help those less fortunate didn’t stop there. They also held a fan food drive during their last three home games, which concluded with Wednesday’s tilt against the Winnipeg Jets.
Canisius students are collecting cash + food to support the #hungry to tonight’s @BuffaloSabres game. Do your part! pic.twitter.com/9lUH49nSeS
— Food Bank of WNY (@FoodBankofWNY) November 27, 2014
As with the Thanksgiving drive, the aim was to assist the Food Bank of Western New York. Fans were asked to take along non-perishable food items, canned goods and cash donations to First Niagara Center.
