ATHENS—St. Mary’s Health Care System’s employees and volunteers donated on Nov. 24 some 130 turkeys to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia to help families during the holiday season.

Each year, St. Mary’s gives a free turkey to employees and volunteers as a token of appreciation for their dedication and service. The health care system also makes it possible for employees to donate their turkey to help others.

Weighing about 18 pounds each, the turkeys represent about 2,300 pounds of food—more than a ton—that will help families in northeast Georgia. The food bank provides food to dozens of agencies in 14 counties: Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Rabun, Stephens, Towns and White.

John Becker, president of the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, was on hand with Jennifer Wootton, the food bank’s donations and events manager, to accept the donation. The food bank distributed them immediately, mostly to individual families. St. Mary’s, which supports the food bank year-round through a variety of programs and events, also provided safe cooking information and preparation tips developed by its food service partner Sodexo.