Plenty of Mississippians are being asked to go to the polls Tuesday for special legislative and local elections. But there’s another race to vote in and one that you can take part in from the comfort of your own home – helping name the turkey Gov. Tate Reeves will pardon ahead of Thanksgiving.
Extra Table, a local nonprofit partnering with Reeves for the pardon, is asking the public’s help in naming it. After accepting initial submissions through its Facebook page, Extra Table announced the following three finalists: Turkules, Leonardo DeGobbler, and Cluck Norris.
Voting is taking place on Extra Table’s Facebook page until 7 p.m. on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s pardoning at the Governor’s Mansion in Jackson. Users can comment their favorite of the three finalists with the most votes becoming the name of the turkey who will spared from being the centerpiece of a Thanksgiving dinner table.
It will be the fourth annual Official Mississippi Turkey Pardoning and also complement the official launch of Extra Table’s month-long “Give ‘Em A Bird” campaign. The campaign raises funds to provide whole chickens to food-insecure families across the state during the holidays.
“Mississippi is one of the most food-insecure states in the nation, and the holidays can be especially hard,” Extra Table executive director Martha Allen Price said. “We’re inviting everyone to take part – individuals, churches, businesses, and schools – and help us fill tables with food and hope.”
With food assistance unstable due to the government shutdown and the holidays always the busiest time of the year for Extra Table, Price said donations are needed now more than ever. According to her, each $15 donation pays for three whole frozen chickens distributed through the nonprofit’s network of 66 food pantries and soup kitchens. The goal is to feed thousands of families before Thanksgiving.
“For thousands of Mississippians, the question this holiday season isn’t what to serve – it’s how to serve it,” an announcement from Extra Table reads. “With the government shutdown and SNAP benefits ending, it is not whether to go with a hot or cold green bean casserole, but how to afford a meal that brings their family together at all.”
Donations can be made to Extra Table by texting “3birds” to 44321 or by visiting their website. Reeves’ ceremonial turkey pardon will happen Wednesday at 11 a.m.
