The seventh annual Operation Give a Gobbler Turkeys Feed Our Veterans will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday at Giant Food Store, Carbon Plaza Mall, 1241 Blakeslee Blvd. Drive E in Lehighton.

Presented by Layne “The Doc” Roberts, and the Pennsylvania State Police, the event aims to support the Valor Holiday Meal Program.

Roberts, who was owner of Colossal Radio until he retired in May and moved into The Doc & Friends Endless Party Podcast, said the event has proved to be the largest one-day drive for veterans and the Valor Clinic.

“Delivering those meals is very humbling,” Roberts said. “It was very tough to see it firsthand; they’re very proud.”

Roberts added it’s wonderful to see the communities band together.

“Just a feel-good event,” he said. “It will be more than they had yesterday.”

Erin Kelly, house manager for Valor Clinic, said it’s a terrific feeling to be able to remove a veteran’s worry of whether they have to choose between paying for a bill or a meal.

“Food insecurity is a big issue,” Kelly said.

Farrah Schaefer, board member for Valor Clinic, noted that Carbon County has the highest number of homeless veterans.

Jason Kistler, of Team Spoonman, said the event has continued to grow each year.

“It’s been bigger every year since,” Kistler said. “At the end of the day, the veterans are the ones who win.”

Lehighton Borough police Chief Troy Abelovsky touted the Lehighton community, before stressing the significance of the event.

“My community comes out in droves,” Abelovsky said. “This is a big one that hits home.”

Roberts noted that last year’s event had a “crazy amount of donations that came in.”

Kelly said delivering the meals can be a real tear jerker.

“I’m pretty sure we all know a vet,” Kelly said. “Somebody is going to very likely be in tears when they come (to the door).”

Those who aren’t able to make it to Wednesday’s event may drop off food at Paul’s House, 1130 Scenic Drive, Kunkletown, or the Valor Food Pantry, 1134 Route 115, Saylorsburg.

Roberts said donations accepted include nonperishables for their holiday meals, turkeys and monetary donations.

He said nonperishable food items may be dropped off at Lehighton, Palmerton, Jim Thorpe and Mahoning Township police departments, as well as at Spoonman Farms (Team Spoonman).

In advance of the event, Roberts noted the Lehighton Police Department, Palmerton Police Department, Jim Thorpe Police Department and Mahoning Township Police Department are in a friendly competition to see which department can collect the most nonperishable food items for the event.

At last year’s event, Roberts said just over $12,000 was donated, along with a large amount of food, noting that three box trucks and a trailer were filled.

He added that Larken Associates, which owns the Carbon Plaza Mall, donated $500 and more than 200 turkeys; Nev & Nise Produce Greenhouse LLC of Lehighton donated 800 pounds of fresh potatoes along with squash; and Jason Kistler of Team Spoonman donated a $5,000 check, 2,100 pounds of dry goods and two pallets of turkeys.

For the second straight year, the Lehighton Borough Police Department and Abelovsky claimed the homemade traveling trophy for the largest amount collected.

Valor Clinic Foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of veterans. Valor strives to improve access to quality health care and shelter of veterans.

Give a Gobbler was started in 2020 by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Anthony Petroski, community services officer for Troop N, and Roberts.

For more information on this year’s event, follow Roberts on his Facebook page.