KDKA Turkey Fund Celebrates 40 Years Of Helping Local Families

KDKA, the CBS O&O in Pittsburgh, is launching its Turkey Fund on Wednesday, Oct. 13, marking the 40-year anniversary of providing food for local families during the Thanksgiving holiday. Over the past four decades, the fund has raised more than $19 million for those in need throughout the KDKA viewing area.

Last year, with the help of its partners, viewers and local school districts, the KDKA Turkey Fund raised $936,916, a record for a single year in the history of the fund.

“It’s humbling that during a pandemic our neighbors would step up like never before to make sure families in need can enjoy a warm Thanksgiving meal,” says Chris Cotugno, KDKA’s GM.

“Everyone here at KDKA-TV is grateful for this outpouring of support from the public and our tremendous partners at PNC Bank and Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. We look forward to working together again to ensure a happy Thanksgiving for local families this year.”

All of the money raised stays local and is distributed in partnership with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, which works with its network of agencies, partners and programs to make the funds raised available to neighbors across the region in the form of $20 gift cards. Families receiving these gift cards can then use them to purchase food for their holiday meals.

“We are deeply grateful for the impact the KDKA-TV Turkey Fund has made over the past 40 years, ensuring that thousands of our neighbors have a Thanksgiving meal to share with family and loved ones,” said Lisa Scales, president and CEO of the Food Bank.

“In these uncertain times, families continue to face tough challenges that strain the family budget. I know that KDKA-TV viewers will once again step up to ensure that every one of our neighbors has enough to eat this holiday season.”

PNC Bank began supporting the KDKA Turkey Fund in 2009 and will continue as the sponsor this year by accepting collections in all PNC branches.  Any donation of $50 or more made in a branch will be matched by PNC, up to $75,000.

“We are honored to participate once again in the KDKA-TV Turkey Fund to help those in need,” said Jim Balouris, retail market executive for PNC Bank in Southwestern Pa. “As a Main Street bank, PNC is committed to giving back locally, and we invite the community to join us to make sure all of our neighbors can enjoy a warm meal with their families this holiday season.”

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