The Monvtille chapter of UNICO will be handing out turkeys and other food products at the Pine Brook Fire Department this Saturday as part of the Turkeys 4 U program.

Richard Giordano, the publicity chairperson for the organization, said that, between its involvement with Turkeys 4 U and other charitable enterprises, the group has collected and donated between $15,000 and $20,00 to charity every year for the last 20.

"This is what we are about," said Giordano. "We give back to the community [and this year] we also received enough money and donations to purchase 68 food baskets [in addition to the turkeys].

This year will mark the UNICO's eight year working with the Turkeys 4 U program since its inception in 2002. According to Griordano, the program began with a Kinnelon High School student who wanted to help less fortunate families.

"The student and a number of his classmates solicited donations," he said. "Because of the UNICO's tax deductable statues, they were able to purchase and delivery turkeys to less fortunate people.  We are just the conduits through which the money is used."

Giordano said that, eight years later, students are still heavily involved in the work.

"The kids do most of the work," he said. "We just organized and distribute the food to pantries and it has been successful."

The organization hopes to distribute nearly 1,300 turkeys and food baskets to churches, food pantries and in-need people within the area in time for thanksgiving, stating in a release that charity is needed more than ever due to "negative economic conditions and higher unemployment."

UNICO is still accepting food donations for the drive. Anyone wishing to make a donation should contact the Montville UNICO at PO Box 788, Montville, NJ 07045.