The Kitchener-Conestoga Rotary Club helps feed families in the Waterloo Region over Christmas.
The Rotary Turkey Drive began more than 20 years ago with one simple, compassionate realization. In 2003, Barry Abelson visited House of Friendship’s Emergency Food Hamper program and saw families receiving canned food — but no holiday meal. He donated 100 turkeys. They were gone in just three days. He laid the groundwork for the partnership between the House of Friendship’s Christmas Food Program now supported by the Kitchener-Conestoga Rotary Club.
1 in 8 households in Waterloo Region don’t have enough income to feed their families. Even more sobering: 34% of food hamper recipients are children. And that reality hits even harder during the holiday season.
Today, the Club’s Turkey Drive raises more than $400,000 each year, helping provide holiday meals for over 14,000 community members. Each meal includes a turkey, halal chicken, or ham, along with grocery support — giving families the chance to share a meaningful Christmas meal together. The Turkey Drive is the club’s biggest annual campaign, well recognized by the local community. Every December it ensures every family can enjoy a holiday meal gathered by loved ones.
Message from, Mike Gillespie, Chair of the 2025 Turkey Drive