BELLINGHAM - A total of 1,000 turkeys have been donated to Bellingham Food Bank, thanks to the generosity of businesses and a rotary club.

Ram Construction gave 500 turkeys to the food bank. Bellingham Bay Rotary provided 100 birds, while four of its member businesses - Archer Halliday, IMCO Construction, Brooks Manufacturing and Natural Way Chiropractic - each donated 100 turkeys.

The donations are needed, said Mike Cohen, the food bank's executive director.

Cohen said October was the food bank's busiest month ever and that at least 1,500 families are expected to turn to the food bank the week of Thanksgiving.

The donated turkeys will help the food bank toward its goal of providing a turkey to every family who comes there before Thanksgiving, according to Cohen.

"Ram and Bellingham Bay Rotary are just two of a lot of great local businesses and civic groups who help us feed our neighbors," he said in a news release.

Bellingham Food Bank is still accepting donated turkeys. They can be dropped off at the food bank, 1824 Ellis St., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

For details, call 360-676-0392 or see bellinghamfoodbank.org.

IS YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION SERVING FREE HOLIDAY MEALS?

Is your organization or business offering free meals to people for the Thanksgiving holiday?

The Bellingham Herald is assembling a list of such places for publication.

To be included in the free listing, please submit the name of your business or organization, the time and date of your event, the address of the event, what's being served, and who is welcome to attend.

If reservations are required, please note that and the phone number.

Email your submission to newsroom@bellinghamherald.com; mail it to Newsroom, The Bellingham Herald, 1155 N. State St., Suite 200, Bellingham, WA 98225; or drop off at that address.

Make sure to label your submission "free Thanksgiving meal."

Reach KIE RELYEA at kie.relyea@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2234.