At least 115 Summit Hill families in need will be able to have a bountiful table this Thanksgiving.

That's because the Sons of American Legion Post 316, members of American Legion Post 316, Summit Hill; and the borough's food pantry have teamed up again to help local families celebrate Thanksgiving on Nov. 27.Recently, officers of the SAL presented Rose Marie Armon and John Williams, co-directors of the Summit Hill Food Pantry, with a check for $2,000 to help purchase 115 frozen turkeys for the upcoming holiday.Armon said the money will cover the cost of the frozen birds, as well as offset some of the costs for other extras that are usually found on the Thanksgiving menu.Members of the American Legion also presented Armon with boxes filled with food items that were collected at the post. This is the second year the legion has donated food items to the pantry for the Thanksgiving holiday.The items will be used to fill the pantry shelves and provide families with more choices when they come collect their food boxes.Armon noted that the Sons have been donating money for frozen turkeys on Thanksgiving since before she became director in 1997.She commended the groups for their generosity, adding that all Summit Hill organizations, including churches as well as borough residents, have been very supportive of the pantry over the years and have helped keep the pantry operating throughout the years.Joe Zubek, SAL finance officer, said the donation is the organization's annual community project."We are happy to do this," he said. "We know there are people in our community who would not have a Thanksgiving meal on their table otherwise. This is our way of helping our neighbors."Stan Karnish, commander of SAL, said it's nice to see the money raised go to a good cause.To raise the money for this donation, the group holds various fundraisers throughout the year.When the Thanksgiving program began nearly two decades ago, 55 families received food packages for Thanksgiving. But rising food costs and tough economic times have pushed the number of families in need up almost threefold.Armon said she has an order in for 115 turkeys but will have to see closer to the time if she needs more.The Thanksgiving food distribution date for Summit Hill residents who use the pantry will be Monday between 10 and 11:30 a.m. Recipients are asked to bring along extra strong shopping/tote bags.The Summit Hill Food Pantry is a division of Shepherd House, an entity that contracts with government agencies to receive state and federal funding to help the needy. Shepherd House provides some nonperishable food items, but the majority of food distributed in the borough is donated by Summit Hill residents.Anyone interested in donating food items or money to the Summit Hill Food Pantry, located in the basement of the Summit Hill Heritage Center, or becoming involved with the group, should contact Armon at 570-645-3604.