Today marks the start of The Herald Good News Fund's 11th annual drive that will provide turkeys for Christmas to families that ordinarily would be unable to afford such a holiday staple.

The year-round fund is affiliated with the Shenango Valley Foundation, created 22 years ago by local community leaders to benefit the entire Mercer County area.

Because the foundation is tax-exempt, all donations to The Good News Fund by residents and businesses are tax-deductible. From the donations, turkeys will be provided to local families through the Community Food Warehouse of the Shenango Valley and its network of 16 pantries.

In its first 10 years, The Good News Fund has generated more than $85,000, all of which has bought turkeys and other food for the needy. The turkeys, more than 8,000, have weighed between 12 and 14 pounds each.

For its 2003 food drive, The Good News Fund has set a goal of buying 1,250 turkeys for distribution in the Mercer County area.

Throughout its history, The Good News Fund has garnered most of its contributions from hundreds of local families and several professional offices and businesses.

While the warehouse on Broadway Avenue in Farrell is the major source of food for the pantries and selected agencies, meat products generally have been unavailable because of the price of such staples, according to Michael Wright, executive director of the food warehouse.

Turkeys will be bought from Magnotto's Shop 'n Save and Michael Magnotto, president of the grocery store, has volunteered to provide them at dealer's cost, as he has since the inception of The Good News Fund.

As The Good News Fund appeal moves through the holiday season, donors will be acknowledged in The Herald.

People wanting to make a tax-free contribution should make their checks payable to The Good News Fund and mail them in care of The Herald, Box 51, Sharon 16146.

Contributions may be dropped off at The Herald's main office, 52 S. Dock St.

The fund offers readers the option of making a donation in the name of a friend or family member as a holiday gift idea.

Being a member of the Shenango Valley Foundation not only gives The Good News Fund tax-exempt status, it assures donors of strictest accountability and conformity to Internal Revenue Service regulations.

Fund benefits food pantries