Major Randy Mulch pulls turkeys from The Salvation Army cooler in Medford. The Salvation Army is seeking turkeys and monetary donations for Thanksgiving — the organization says it is short 225 birds, or the equivalent of $11,250 in donations.

The Salvation Army Medford Corps is asking locals to help them with turkey, canned food and cash donations ahead of a time of rising need for the organization.

The charity expects to give away more than 475 turkeys to families in Jackson County who would otherwise go without a Thanksgiving dinner, according to a release from the organization asking for community support. They gave away roughly 450 turkeys last year with the help of multiple local businesses, according to the charity’s Facebook page.

Another 200 Thanksgiving food box donations were given to families in Josephine County through The Salvation Army Grants Pass.

The organization says donations are down from last year, but the need is up. The Salvation Army Medford Corps is seeing a 40% increase in requests for services this year compared to last, a release from the organization states.

Donations of food or funds may be dropped off at Salvation Army locations in Medford and Grants Pass, and monetary donations can be made online at jacksoncounty.salvationarmy.org.

The turkey giveaway in Medford will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Salvation Army thrift store parking lot, 922 N. Central Ave. Turkeys are first come, first served while supplies last, according to Sharre Whitson, Regional Development Director at the Salvation Army. Grants Pass food box signups are full.

For more information on making larger donations or ways to help in Medford, call Jonnette Mulch at 541-773-6965 or email jonnette.much@usw.salvationarmy.org. For information on ways to get involved in Grants Pass, call Yohani Ortiz at 541-955-1017 or email yohani.ortiz@usw.salvationarmy.org.