‘Thankful Thursdays’ Food Drive at the Choo Choo Barn 2022

Dates: April 7, May 5, June 2

Time: 10am - 4:00pm (layout closes at 5pm)

What: Admission to the Choo Choo Barn layout is FREE with a donation of at least one non-perishable food item, regardless of age

After a 2 year hiatus during Covid, the popular Thankful Thursdays is back by popular demand for 2022!

The idea for “Thankful Thursdays” came in 2018 from a desire to give more during the 30th year of Canned Food Fridays, the Choo Choo Barn’s annual food drive. Over the past 30+ years, the Choo Choo Barn has donated nearly 100,000 items to local food banks and collected over $25,000 which has been distributed within the local community. Hosting the event during the busy Christmas season was becoming increasingly difficult, with busy schedules and risk of illness during the cold weather. The food drive was given a rebirth by moving it to several Thursdays throughout the year, creating an opportunity for more people to visit and more food to be collected during times when the food bank may be lacking in supply.

Thankful Thursdays will be held three times in 2022 on the first Thursday of the month: April 7, May 5, and June 2. The event will be held during regular business hours, 10am-4:00pm. Admission to the Choo Choo Barn layout is FREE with a donation of at least one non-perishable food item per person, regardless of age. Please note that the following items are the most highly demanded, per the food bank: peanut butter, canned meats (tuna and chicken), healthy cereal, pasta, fruit and rice. No expired food is accepted, per food bank policies. Please give generously – admission is at least one item per person! Due to the fact that this is a charity event, we do not honor annual passes or free passes on Thankful Thursdays. Admission is by food or monetary donation only. Thank you!