FREEPORT – Freeport Community Services has been managing to keep up with the public need for protein, despite the loss of approximately 50 turkeys when one of its freezers broke down due to a power failure on Nov. 4.

Melanie Sachs, executive director at Freeport Community Services, said Monday morning that people who came to the food pantry for meat early last week were unable to get it. Sachs credited Sue Mack, the family services coordinator, with working quickly with suppliers to replace the turkeys.

“We got the freezer fixed, and Sue Mack really hustled to get us more food,” Sachs said. “People who came in on Monday for protein were rescheduled for Thursday. We’re still a little backlogged for meat, but people like the Good Shepard Food Bank and others are helping.”

Sachs said she does not think that Freeport Community Services was insured for the food, or for the cost of the freezer repair.

The food was for general use, she said, and not earmarked for the holidays. In addition to the turkeys, it consisted of frozen vegetables and other food staples, she said. Sachs said that the Emergency Food Assistance Program, a federal program, will replenish all items lost except for the turkeys. About 50 turkeys – about half of the Freeport Community Services total – were in that freezer, she said.

Students from Freeport Middle School showed up Sunday to help volunteers dispose of the food, all of which was spoiled, Sachs said.

“The public is already responding to the need for more turkeys,” Sachs said.

Sachs expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Freeport Middle School students, who came in on Nov. 5 to dispose of the spoiled food.

“A shout out to the students at Freeport Middle School,” she said. They were amazing. They cleaned up a big mess. All of that food had to be disposed of.”

Sachs put the value of the lost food at approximately $1,600.

“It’s actually very sad in a way,” she said, “to see all of this food being disposed.”

A CLOSER LOOK

People who want to donate turkeys or other food can bring them in to Freeport Community Services, 53 Depot St., or they can call Sue Mack at 865-3985, ext. 205.