The Thanksgiving meals fundraiser started by local DJ Robert “Bobby C” Campbell is entering its 10th year, and the lifelong area resident hopes to feed 2,700 people across Franklin County.
Campbell is accepting donations to provide families with Thanksgiving meal kits that include stuffing mix, potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls and apple pies. Each family is also given a $25 gift certificate so that they can purchase a turkey at the Greenfield Stop & Shop.
Amid rising food prices, it now costs $80 to sponsor a family. The donation deadline is Monday, Oct. 27.
“I think we’re going to be helping a lot of people this year,” Campbell said.
Although Campbell is experiencing some health issues, he said a group of about 10 volunteers will make sure the certificates and food are distributed on Friday, Nov. 21, at the Bernardston Senior Center.
“They’re going to be the ones killing it that day, making sure it gets done,” Campbell said.
Checks for Thanksgiving meals will also be presented to The Salvation Army, Stone Soup Cafe and Living Waters Assembly of God.
Donations checks should be made payable to: Bobby Campbell, 303 Fairway Ave., Turners Falls, MA 01376. Donors are asked to write “NEEDY FAMILIES T-DAY FUNDRAISER 2025” in the memo line. Donations can also be made via Venmo (@bobbyCcampbell).
Campbell mentioned that the idea for this fundraiser came to him years ago after he and his wife learned of the hardships endured by families who hired him for his DJ services.
“Every year it just kept growing and growing,” he said. “It’s crazy … how it’s grown so much. This is our 10th year.”
