Washington County Residents Raise $33,884.78 in 22nd Annual Turkey-A-Thon to Support Local Food Pantries
For Immediate Release
Date: October 21, 2026
Program Contact: Jasmine Haines, Healthy Acadia, jasmine.haines@healthyacadia.org, (207) 664-7047
Media Contact: Tracey Carlson, Healthy Acadia, tracey@healthyacadia.org, (207) 667-7171
Washington County Residents Raise $33,884.78 in 22nd Annual Turkey-A-Thon to Support Local Food Pantries
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MAINE - Thanks to the generosity of community members across Washington County, this year’s Annual Turkey-A-Thon raised $33,884.78, with donations still coming in. While the total fell short of the $40,000 goal, the results are especially meaningful amid today’s economic challenges. The strong response reflects the enduring spirit of neighbors helping neighbors and the community’s commitment to ensuring Washington County families have access to food this holiday season.
On Friday, October 9, teams of enthusiastic volunteers from local schools, businesses, organizations, and the community at large, together with employees from Classic Hits 92.7/95.3 FM Radio, Dunkin’ in Calais and Machias, V.L. Tammaro in Calais and Baileyville, and Healthy Acadia, were stationed at seven sites across Washington County to collect donations for local food pantries. All funds from this annual event are distributed to community food security organizations.
Classic Hits 92.7/95.3 FM Radio, broadcasting live from the Dunkin’ studio at V.L Tammaro in Calais, kept the momentum throughout the day, encouraging a little friendly competition as collection sites reported their tallies hourly via phone.
Every dollar raised through the Turkey-A-Thon will be used to purchase gift certificates from local grocery stores to be distributed among the ten Washington County food pantries, emergency school backpack programs, and other food cupboards. The gift certificates will help ensure that local families in need enjoy a healthy holiday meal. Community members can support their local food pantry by donating directly any time of the year.
Classic Hits 92.7/95.3, Dunkin’ in Calais and Machias, VL Tammaro in Woodland and in Calais, and Healthy Acadia would like to thank all those who generously donated and/or volunteered their time during the event.
If your school, business, organization, or group would like to support Turkey-a-Thon in October 2027, email Jasmine Haines at jasmine.haines@healthyacadia.org or Jeff Demmons at katjeff3184@gmail.com.
Healthy Acadia is a 501(C)(3) community health organization building vibrant communities and making it easier for all people to lead healthy lives throughout Washington and Hancock counties. For more information about Healthy Acadia’s efforts to address food insecurity and other health initiatives, visit www.healthyacadia.org.
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