Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A pre-Thanksgiving tradition is back, as the Buffalo Sabres have partnered again with Wegmans and Audacy for the annual "Turkeys for Tickets" Thanksgiving turkey drive on Thursday, Nov. 16.
The turkey drive will take place from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. EST, and will benefit the Buffalo City Mission and FeedMore WNY.
The turkey drive will be held at three separate locations across the Western New York region:
- KeyBank Center Surface Lot (Enter lot from Baltimore St. via Perry St.)
- Wegmans in Amherst (675 Alberta Dr., Amherst)
- Wegmans in West Seneca (370 Orchard Park Rd., West Seneca)
For every 20-pound turkey dropped off, or the equivalent of a 20-pound turkey, the Sabres will provide a voucher good for two tickets to an upcoming Sabres home game. Vouchers will be distributed immediately by volunteers at the drop-off sites.
A maximum of one voucher, which is good for two tickets, will be allotted per-person. Fans can redeem their vouchers for select Sabres home games online using a promo code. Participants will have the option to purchase additional seats at the time of redemption.
The need for turkeys at this time of year is great said Aubrey Calhoun, CEO of the Buffalo City Mission.
"We provide over 5,000 meals to individuals in Western New York who have called-in to reserve a Thanksgiving meal. This event is so important for us to be able to meet the need," said Calhoun on Tuesday with WBEN.
Calhoun says when it comes to food insecurity, the City Mission provided over 134,000 meals last year, an increase of 28% over the year before.
"We know the need is great here due to the economic downturn and inflation," she said.
Calhoun adds they are very close to reaching their meal reservation capacity for Thanksgiving. They usually don't hit that mark until Thanksgiving week.
"It really shows the need this year," Calhoun said.
Sabres vouchers will be available for the following games:
- Sunday, Dec. 3 vs. Nashville
- Tuesday, Dec. 5 vs. Detroit
- Monday, Dec. 11 vs. Arizona
- Tuesday, Dec. 19 vs. Columbus
- Tuesday, Jan. 9 vs. Seattle
- Thursday, Jan. 11 vs. Ottawa
- Saturday, Jan. 13 vs. Vancouver
- Monday, Jan. 15 vs. San Jose
- Saturday, Jan. 20 vs. Tampa Bay