Turkey Drives

Every year, the Midwest Independent Retailers Foundation Turkey Drive Committee pledges to put a turkey on the Thanksgiving table of families throughout Michigan, Ohio and Illinois that may not otherwise enjoy this special meal.   

Since 1980, the Midwest Independent Retailers Foundation and its members have provided thanksgiving turkeys to needy families, veterans, women shelters, etc. and each year the list of charitable groups asking for turkeys grows. There are more requests than we could ever fill. We need your help! 

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect, give thanks, and help those who are less fortunate.  We are asking you to pitch in.  A $300 donation to the Midwest Independent Retailers Foundation Turkey Drive will provide turkeys for 10 families.  When you consider that each turkey serves about 12 people, that equals enough Thanksgiving turkey for 120 people. You can also donate food items (canned, boxed or bottled) or other products such as clothing or household items, above and beyond – or in lieu of – your monetary donation. 

This is a charitable event and all donations are tax deductible!  Please see your tax advisor for guidance on your specific tax situation. Receipt available upon request. 

It is truly heartwarming to be a part of our Annual Turkey Drive.  To donate, please click here for a mail-in donation form.

Questions? Email Kpetty@MIRAmw.org.

High Five Turkey Drive Retail & Community Outreach
“Paper Hands”Promotion

Help us raise money at your registers and give back to the charity of your choice!

Your business can generate a significant donation for Midwest Independent Retailers Foundation’s Annual High Five Turkey Drive by participating in our paper turkey program! Paper turkeys are a fun, simple way to raise funds while sending a message to your customers and the community that you care about feeding the hungry. Best of all, 100% of the money you raise will go toward purchasing turkeys for a charity of your choice!

Here’s how the paper turkey program works:

• Midwest Independent Retailers Foundation will send you a starter package which includes a poster to place in your store to raise awareness and turkey hand cut-outs.
• Place the paper turkeys at the register and have your cashiers encourage customers to buy a paper turkey for a suggested donation of $1, $5 or even $10.
• Every $20 you raise buys you one turkey towards your charity.
• The purchaser can sign the High Five paper turkey and we encourage you to display it prominently in the store. Paper turkeys can be displayed on walls, windows, or hung from the ceiling to generate maximum awareness.
• Program runs from September 15th – November 15th.

If your business is interested in selling the High Five Paper Turkeys to benefit the MIRA High Five Turkey Drive, please complete this form and fax to (248) 671-9610 or call MIRA at (800) 666-6233 and we will mail you a starter packet!

To make a donation without participating in the Turkey Hands Program, click here.

Another Year Providing a Thanksgiving Meal to Families in Need

MIRA and its Foundation hosted its 42nd Annual High Five Turkey Drive on November 18th, delivering thousands of turkeys and other food packages to those in need.

The Michigan event was hosted at the Motown Snack Foods warehouse in Detroit. Cars and trucks alike drove through the warehouse picking up items ranging from turkeys, beverages, chips, cookies, and warm winter clothing. Some local media attended the event to let the community know about the large amount of donated food.

Dozens of volunteers gathered to deliver to the community on a cold November morning. Volunteers were wrapped in heavy winter clothing, carrying coffees and hand warmers in any attempt to stay warm. Many were from MIRA itself while others came from Blue Cross Blue Shield, DTE Energy or individuals wanting to help out. The Turkey Drive has become a local tradition complete with holiday spirit and a sense of hope for families that can’t afford their own Thanksgiving feast.

Ed Weglarz, MIRA President and CEO, said they were giving out 4,500 turkeys this year to just as many families. “Usually we have about 6,000, but prices went way up,” he said. “There was a bird flu earlier this year that went through the population and killed many thousands of turkeys.”

MIRA made a logistical change this year as well. In previous years, it was a free-for-all, with cars and trucks coming through the warehouse anytime between 10a.m. and 1p.m. This created a logistical nightmare in which most of the drivers would arrive early and would be lined up and blocking the street. This time, however, the distribution was divided into 30-minute segments, and the plan succeeded in spreading out the traffic evenly throughout the three-hour timeframe.

Ken Schulte, MIRA’s Director of Business Development, helped organize and run the event. He said he’s proud of what they do here and it’s one of his favorite parts of the holiday season. “It’s so great when everyone gets together to help the community,” he said.

The Turkey Drive falls well under one of MIRA’s seven pillars of service, which is Community Outreach. “We encourage MIRA members to volunteer their time and resources to sponsored programs as an extension of your involvement in your community,” the pillar says.

The Turkey Drive has become one of MIRA’s signature “all hands-on deck” events in which it asks its members to give back to the community that keeps its business alive. Many of the volunteers agreed that the tradition of giving back is important to the spirit of the holidays.

Frank Dye, a volunteer from Blue Cross Blue Shield, said his holiday season wouldn’t be complete without volunteering and community service. “I love giving back to the community and spreading cheer and I even adopt a family for Christmas,” he said. It makes his festivities with his own family all the merrier.

Amy Saunders, also from Blue Cross Blue Shield, said one of her favorite activities during the holidays is sitting with family and playing games. “I love laughing and having a good time together,” she said. This type of holiday cheer wouldn’t be possible for thousands of families had MIRA not provided them enough food to make a proper Thanksgiving meal.

If you are interested in contributing or volunteering at the 2023 event, please email turkey@miramw.org or visit www.miramw.org/events/turkey-drives.