SANFORD — The Salvation Army is preparing to pass out Thanksgiving food baskets Tuesday, like they do every year, but right now one essential ingredient is missing.

There are pounds of potatoes, lots of stuffing, gravy, onions, vegetables and dessert for the traditional Thanksgiving meal.

But the Sanford branch of the Salvation Army unexpectedly finds itself with no turkeys.

Lt. Raymond Knous said the Salvation Army needs about 50 turkeys to fill the need for Thanksgiving baskets. And a month from now, he said, they’ll need 150 more.

They thought they were all set. The Sanford Salvation Army, like many other organizations that help feed the hungry, buys food from Good Shepherd Food Bank in Lewiston. They’re able to buy at reduced prices at Good Shepherd and so some time ago, Knous ordered 200 turkeys at 16 cents a pound to fill the local need for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

But on Wednesday afternoon, Knous got word from Good Shepherd that the agency had run out of turkeys and was unable to fill the order.

Now, he’s hoping that folks will step up ”“ and soon ”“ for Thanksgiving, so full food baskets can go out the door as intended on Tuesday, in advance of the Thursday holiday.

“We’re looking for people to donate turkeys or money so we can buy turkeys,” said Knous.

He’s certain the need will be filled, and is reassuring recipients that the baskets will contain the essential Thanksgiving bird, somehow. But cash is a bit scarce, especially because there are fewer locations where the Salvation Army can hold its kettle appeals this year ”“ the recent closure of a Kennebunk supermarket has meant one less space to ring the bell for donations ”“ so Knous is hoping the community will help out.

Fortunately, when Knous was at Good Shepherd last week, he bought 20 turkeys, not knowing at the time his larger order wouldn’t be able to be filled, and York County Food Rescue has supplied 30 more. But the organization is still 50 turkeys short for Thanksgiving.

Good Shepherd Food Bank spokeswoman Melissa Glenn said the need is great this year and the food bank simply ran out of turkeys. In 2008, the agency dispensed 5,000 Thanksgiving turkeys and this year the number came to 10,000.

“We’ve been calling suppliers to see of they have any they can get to us,” she said. In the meantime, Glenn said any help people can give local agencies like the Salvation Army or the food bank is appreciated.

Knous said the Salvation Army is supplying Thanksgiving meals for 100 families ”“ about 420 people, this year.

And a month from now, they’ll do it all over again for Christmas and will need 150 turkeys.

Those who wish to lend a hand, either by donating turkeys or the money to buy them, can call the Salvation Army at 324-3134 and leave a message or e-mail: Raymond.Knous@USE.salvationarmy.org.

— Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.