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Bowling with turkeys to help a local food pantry

Bowling isn’t the usual side dish served with turkey, but a group in Lackawanna County is showing how these two things make a good pairing for a food drive.

CARBONDALE, Pa. — >>> Lee esta noticia en Español <<<

Valley Bowling Lanes & ShopRite stores in the area have partnered to collect funds and food for the Montdale Food Pantry in a new fundraiser initiative. 

By donating $5 and a nonperishable food item, participants can throw a frozen turkey down the lane at Valley Bowling Lanes

Throwing a strike lets you take home the frozen turkey. 

All of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Montdale Food Pantry to stock their shelves and feed people throughout this holiday season.

Since the age of 3, Cindy Grabowski has been bowling "turkeys" — one strike after another.

"Bowling has been the focal point of my family. I'm now a third-generation manager of this bowling center."

Now she's using her bowling alley to support the Montdale food pantry.

"They sent out a message that the food pantry was in dire need of supplies," Grabowski said.

Volunteer Barbara Taylor says the call for help is crucial to keep their food supply up, especially with Thanksgiving right around the corner.

"This October, we served 302 people, and our shelves were empty, just empty," Taylor said.

For the first time in 12 years, Taylor had to turn families away because the pantry ran out of food

Grabowski and Taylor hope that through the turkey toss, the shelves will be stocked again.

"If every participant gave five items, we could help so many families in our area. And I just think it's a huge impact because there's so many people that have so many things in their pantry that are on their shelves and that they're not going to use. So, let's give them to families that can actually use them to provide for their families," Grabowski said.

Any amount will help a family who depends on the Montdale food pantry.

"You helped somebody," Taylor said. "You helped a parent put a meal on the table for their children. Is there anything better?"

The event will be on Sunday at Valley Bowling Lanes starting at 4 p.m.

RELATED: Feed A Friend: Here's how you can donate to help your neighbors in need this Thanksgiving

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