The 30th Annual Guerrilla Turkey Drive is Back

The lone turkey in the truck can only feed one family. There are thousands of families in Western Montana that need your help this year. Thirty years ago in Missoula, a new Thanksgiving tradition was born. Long before social media there were two radio announcers and some generous shift workers.

One fall morning on Z100’s "Craig and Al Show," with Craig Johnson and Allen Kessler, a call went out that the Missoula Food Bank was in need of donations. That was all it took for listeners to jump into action. The first turkeys began arriving at the radio station studio, marking the start of what became the "Guerrilla Turkey Drive"—named for its grassroots, one-turkey-at-a-time approach to fighting hunger. Thirty years later, we continue this tradition.

Things are a bit different today. While we still ask our listeners for help, we can now also ask our readers to join in. One constant over the past 30 years is that the need remains—and, if anything, has grown.

Western Montana has seen a significant increase in population, and with it, an increase in demand at area food banks. Speaking with dedicated volunteers, we hear about rising numbers of clients, including people on fixed incomes and individuals experiencing homelessness.

This year, the need is once again high, and we would be grateful for your help. Please bring your turkey donations to 3250 South Reserve, starting at 6 a.m. on Monday, November 18. The turkey drive will continue until Friday, November 22, at 5 p.m. Donations will support the Missoula Food Bank, Mineral County Food Bank, Darby Bread Box, Pantry Partners in Stevensville, and Haven House in Hamilton.

Special thanks to our sponsors—Trail West Bank, Missoula Electric Cooperative, and Decker Truck Lines—for making this event possible once again. And thank you to the community for your support this year.