POCATELLO — Dr. Jeff McMinn and his staff at Idaho Orthodontics were concerned when they recently learned that a local food drive aiming to provide at least 1,000 local families in need with free Thanksgiving dinners was behind pace.

So they vowed to fully match any donations of money or frozen turkeys brought into their business at 625 E. Alameda Road in Pocatello, hoping to help the turkey drive make up ground.

Fortunately, officials involved with the turkey drive say the community has rallied behind the cause, and they now expect to exceed the original goal.

The food drive, called Cranksgiving, is being organized locally for the fifth year by Barrie’s Ski & Sports, 624 Yellowstone Ave. in Pocatello, in partnership with the Idaho Foodbank and Idaho Central Credit Union. It’s part of a nationwide program, called Cranksgiving, in which bike shops spearhead efforts to provide Thanksgiving dinners for needy families.

McMinn said his office will accept and match donations through 2 p.m. Friday. McMinn said his business will give $2,000 to the food bank, at a minimum, and is willing to match donations brought into the office of up to 1,000 turkeys.

“We want them to be successful for their goal,” McMinn said, noting contributions stay within the community.

Barrie’s Ski & Sports owner Barrie Hunt said the drive had reached 741 turkeys as of Wednesday afternoon, not counting any contributions from Idaho Orthodontics.

At 10 a.m. Saturday, a truck will deliver the turkeys from Barrie’s to the food bank. A caravan of cyclists — some of whom typically bike with their own donated frozen turkeys — will follow the truck. From 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., turkeys and food boxes with Thanksgiving fixings will be distributed to families in need, selected by local food pantries.

Hunt said Cranksgiving provided 750 turkeys during the first three years, and reached 1,100 turkeys in the fourth year. This year, Hunt expects to give away between 1,100 and 1,500 turkeys, thanks to the flurry of recent donations.

Hunt said his shop has been storing turkeys in a big freezer with the capacity to hold about 20 birds and making trips to the food bank whenever it fills up.

“We did (runs) twice this morning and three times yesterday,” Hunt said.

He’s also been using monetary donations to buy turkeys.

A few local restaurants and the Pocatello Senior Activity Center will also host free meals, available to anyone in the community, on Thanksgiving day. The Whitworth family is organizing the long-running dinner at the Senior Center from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Meals will also be delivered to anyone who calls 208-233-1212 at least a day in advance to place an order.

Nick Garcia, owner of Puerta Vallarta, 160 W. Cedar St. in Pocatello, has hosted a free dinner since he took over the restaurant three years ago. His Thanksgiving meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Last year, Garcia served 276 people, who consumed 150 pounds of mashed potatoes, four hams, 20 turkeys and 85 pounds of stuffing, among other sides.

“Because of the community, the restaurant is still open, so this is a day we can give back,” Garcia said.

Everest Kitchen, located inside the Travel Lodge, 133 W. Burnside Ave. in Chubbuck, will host a free Indian dinner from noon to 3 p.m. on Wednesday The owner, Mohan Sepla, expects to serve 100.

All Under One Roof will host a potluck-style Thanksgiving dinner from 3 to 6 p.m. at 234 N. Main St. in Pocatello. To sign up to bring a dish, visit bit.ly/2qMnPPO.