Before 1999, Thanksgiving was a time for the community to shower its support on the Food Bank in the form of thousands and thousands of frozen turkeys. These turkeys went to families in need, providing many of them with their first traditional holiday meal.

But, watching people lug frozen turkeys to the Food Bank or retail locations across the Valley, the Food Bank knew there had to be an easier way for others to show their holiday spirit without frost bit hands or aching backs.

In 1999, Toby® Turkey was born. The plush doll with his skinny legs and wide grin stole the hearts of philanthropic Phoenicians and a new holiday tradition began. The money raised from the donations made to Buy-A-Bird enabled the Food Bank to purchase the food it needed during the holiday season--turkeys, canned yams, cranberry sauce, stuffing - so that families could enjoy a grand banquet that many of us are fortunate enough to experience every year.

Since Toby came to the Food Bank, other members of the hunger-fighting turkey family have debuted: Trudy®, Timmy®, Captain Drumstick®, Major Tom®, Sheriff Tex Turkington®, and Toni Can Can™. As new turkeys become available each year, they are grabbed up by loyal donors who strive to have a complete collection of these fantastic fowl. Look for this year’s new turkey in the Fall.