Charter Oak donates turkeys to food bank

Groton-based Charter Oak Federal Credit Union has donated $3,000 worth of Thanksgiving turkeys to the Gemma E. Moran United Way Labor Food Center in New London.

This tradition began four years ago in honor of Charter Oak's former chief executive, Larry Hertell, and has since grown into a very large food drive, supported by employees and members. Members participate by purchasing paper turkeys for $1.

This year, employees also donated 1,478 nonperishable food items.

The food center distributed last year more than 1.7 million pounds of food through more than 90 free food programs. To make a donation, call (860) 444-8050.