BREWER, Maine (WABI) – The 24th annual Free the Z Turkey Drive is officially underway.

Over the next few days, you can find Z 107.3 morning show host Kid camped out in the Hannaford parking lot in Brewer. This is his 18th year participating in the Free the Z Turkey Drive.

He says his favorite part is meeting new people and seeing familiar faces every year.

“We have a lot of fun, different types of businesses putting things together and kids. Bangor Savings Bank, for example, closes all their branches for an hour and they all come here with a turkey and we form a big line around the parking lot. These kinds of things are fun. We receive school buses full of children. Lots of fun stuff,” Kid said Tuesday morning.

“My husband and I do it every year. It’s just important to us. We know there are people less fortunate than us and we want to give people food back to make sure no one goes hungry,” said Jessie Treadwell of Holden who stopped to donate a turkey.

This year, Kid and Z 107.3 hope to harvest at least 2,024 turkeys. They partner with Penquis to ensure all turkeys land on the tables of local Maine families.

“It makes me feel good. I feel like I’m at least helping someone who maybe doesn’t have enough money for a turkey right now,” Treadwell said.

“People say, ‘There was a year where I needed help, but I’m in a much better place and I’m so happy to give.’ And I just think that matters. It’s just one donation at a time and before you know it, we’ve reached our goal. That’s how it works. I think that’s what it’s all about, a community showing up and giving what they can. And it happens every year. Pretty phenomenal,” said Renae Muscatell, community relations manager at Penquis.

Penquis says 6,000 local families need turkeys this year.

With your help, WABI will also do its part. Our annual Turkey Telethon returns this Thursday during our evening newscasts from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

If you can’t call Thursday evening, you can donate now by texting “Turkeys” to 44321 or by going to penquis.org/turkey.

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