TURKEY DRIVE

Back in 1991, a simple idea took shape. Sue Stultz believed every family deserved a turkey at Christmas, and she began collecting them one by one. In the first six years, about 900 turkeys were gathered. It was a modest start, but the need in the community was already clear.

By 1997 the gap between demand and supply had grown, so Sue turned to the local paper and radio stations for help. The response was immediate. The goal was 800 turkeys, and the community delivered 1,071. For the first time, every registered family at the Moncton Food Bank received a turkey. That moment became the turning point, and the drive never slowed again.
 

The support that comes in each year has always been voluntary, and Sue valued that deeply. No pressure, no hard requests, just an open invitation for people to give if they felt moved to. That approach continues today. Turkeys collected beyond the annual requirement cover late Christmas needs and help families through the colder months that follow.
 

Since 1997 the drive has brought in more than 95,000 turkeys, with a total value of more than two million dollars. This is the community Sue loved, showing up again and again.

It is a continuous reminder of how one person’s idea can grow when a community decides to carry it forward together.

 

Sue’s belief in quiet service shaped the heart of this drive. She never asked for credit and always redirected praise to the people who showed up with a turkey, a smile, or a helping hand. What began as her simple act of care has grown into a community tradition that continues because thousands of neighbours chose to carry it with her. The years, the numbers, and the memories all point to the same truth. When people come together with generosity and no need for recognition, the impact lasts far beyond any one season.​

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Thank you for helping us carry Sue's work forward.