South Hills Longbeards Chapter gives to food pantries

The South Hills Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) donated around 150 turkeys to local food pantries for the holidays as part of the organization’s Turkey Hunters Care program.

“This program is set up by turkey hunters to give back to our communities,” Larry Pernestti, chapter president, said. “A lot of people need extra help and an extra hand, especially around this time of year, and it’s a blessing being able to do what we need to help these folks for Thanksgiving or Christmas.”

On Friday afternoon, the chapter had its box trailer set up in the South Point Walmart parking lot for various pantries to pick up turkeys.

Picking up turkeys were Don Moore, from the Chesapeake Community Mission Outreach, Peggy Hartwig, from Harvest for the Hungry, and James Fields, representing the food pantries at Russell First Baptist Church, Jeffersonville Baptist Church and Grace Culture in Boyd County, Kentucky.

“This is going to help us out during Christmas tremendously,” Moore said. “We give out around 500 Christmas baskets.”

Moore also added that the Chesapeake Community Mission Outreach helps around 350 families, or around 900 people, every month.

“It’s a good feeling, being able to help out so many people,” Pernestti said. “This was the first year of this program, but we’re looking forward to doing this every year, and are always looking for any businesses who would want to donate.”

Headquartered in Kitts Hill, the South Hills Longbeards chapter of the NWTF has been around sine 1995, is a 501c3 nonprofit, and has around 50 members.