Volunteers prepare to share 120 Thanksgiving food boxes on Nov. 21, 2023, in the Albertsons parking lot in Baker City. The store's Turkey Bucks program funded 120 boxes, enough for everyone who lined up. 

BAKER CITY — A chilly wind didn’t deter the enthusiasm of the crew outside Albertsons grocery store as they handed out free Thanksgiving meal boxes Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 21.

Albertsons staff worked with the Baker City fire and police departments, Baker County Sheriff’s Office, Metro West Ambulance and The Salvation Army to distribute the meals.

The store’s director, Angelo St. Claire, said they had 120 boxes, enough for everyone who lined up at 1 p.m. The boxes included a turkey breast, stuffing, pie and rolls.

The store raises money for a “Turkey Bucks” program by asking shoppers to donate while checking out. St. Claire said the program raised about $11,000 this year. The store will continue to solicit donations through Christmas for the holiday bags campaign.

“Each bag has a different price point, meaning each bag has a certain thing that we provide with those,” St. Claire said.

Last year, volunteers handed out 126 Thanksgiving boxes.

“We like to do this because it helps the customers see what they helped us raise and the community involvement with our Albertsons. That’s the main focus,” St. Claire said. “And the employees get excited too, because they are involved too and helped raise the money.”

Annette Mauer used the Turkey Bucks donation decals to create a portrait of a turkey, with the decals as feathers. It’s on the right side of the main entrance to the store at 1120 Campbell St.