Every year, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) holds Project Turkey to help local food-insecure families who have a child facing pediatric cancer by giving them grocery gift cards and food baskets.

This year, due to the pandemic, the holidays have hit families dealing with a child with cancer even harder due to increased financial constraints. Many families have had to leave work to care for their sick child, and TBCF is working to collect items for these families so they can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

“The holidays are tough for financially struggling families under normal circumstances,” said Corey Pahanish, executive director of Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation. “Add a sick child, loss of income, and the potential threat of exposure to the virus, and it’s easy to understand why these families may not be celebrating the holidays this year.

“TBCF is grateful for the community’s help in making the holidays happen for these families.”

TBCF will deliver donated items to hospitals, clinics and homes, and is hoping to help 50 families with Project Turkey food and grocery gift card donations. Community members are encouraged to donate $25 and $50 grocery gift cards for families in need, as well as deliver food baskets to TBCF’s office by Nov. 16.

Pick-ups can be arranged, and donors can also mail items to the TBCF office. To mail items by Nov. 16, send them to Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, Attn: Project Turkey, 3892 State St., Ste. 220, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.

Requested food items include:

· Boxed Instant Potatoes

· Boxed Stuffing Mix

· Canned items including:

  Cranberry Sauce

  Soups and broth

  Vegetables

  Corn

  Sweet potatoes

  Yams and pumpkin

  Fruit

· Pie filling and crust

· Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider

· Hot cocoa packets – mini

· Marshmallows

· Dinner rolls

· Cookies

To learn more about Project Turkey or to make a donation to a family in need, visit https://www.teddybearcancerfoundation.org/project-holiday.

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation advocates for families living in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties that have a child with cancer by providing financial, educational, and emotional support.