Short $9K, Barry Blames Giant for Turkey Giveaway Delay

D.C. Councilman Marion Barry’s annual turkey giveaway has been delayed a day, and the former mayor is blaming Giant’s “corporate inflexibility.”

Barry failed to pay the grocery store $26,000 for 2,000 turkeys by Monday, and Giant refused to accept the councilman’s assurance that he would have the rest of the money this week. According to Barry’s office, $17,000 of the funds had been raised and received.

So all those who went to Union Temple Baptist Church in Anacostia looking for a free bird Tuesday morning, it was a wasted trip.

“First of all, I must apologize to the Ward 8 community for Giant’s failure to provide timely support to the community,” Barry said in a statement from his office. “It’s simply pathetic and incomprehensible to me that a multi-billion dollar corporation, like Giant, would take a position that would deprive children, seniors and other adults of food for the Thanksgiving holiday.”

"While we're disappointed in the council member's comments, Giant is committed to delivering the remainder of the turkeys so that hundreds of families in Ward 8 can enjoy their Thanksgiving meals," read a statement released by the company Tuesday.

Barry and Giant negotiated delivery in time for a 9 a.m. giveaway Wednesday, according to Barry's office.

"Earlier this month, Giant Food began working with Ward 8 Council member Marion Barry toward the purchase of 2,000 turkeys to be distributed to families in southeast D.C.," Giant's statement read. "As a good community partner, we placed this large order and offered complimentary delivery to Union Temple Church.

"This morning, 250 turkeys were delivered, and the remainder will arrive tomorrow morning at 9 a.m."

Apparently the extra $9,000 has been found. WeLoveDC reported that the full $26,000 payment is on its way to Giant.


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