D.C. Council member Marion Barry and the Washington Redskins joined other community groups in the D.C. area Tuesday to donate turkeys for families in need. As Tom Sherwood reports, those taking part in today’s turkey giveaways feel it goes beyond filling a plate this Thanksgiving.
A holiday tradition ahead of giving thanks: Giving Thanksgiving feasts to families in need.
Hundreds of people lined up outside the Union Temple Baptist Church in Anacostia Tuesday waiting for their turn to receive a turkey and see free literature and advice about healthy eating and lifestyles.
“It's not just Ward 8 trying to do the whole city,” volunteer Anthony Tate said. “We can't do that, so we do what we can.”
Ward 8 Council member and former Mayor Marion Barry said a nonprofit group helped organize his annual event and was supported by a half-dozen businesses.
“It's tragic, in America and in Washington, you've got to have people in line for turkeys,” Barry said.
As busy as the Barry event was, a massive annual giveaway was held at FedEx Field by the Washington Redskins and several community partners who provided 3,500 turkeys and all the goods for a complete Thanksgiving meal.
“It's stressing after about 1,000 turkeys,” said retired Redskins trainer Bubba Tyer, who was among the 500 volunteers.
But everyone can rest up for the Redskins-Cowboys game on Thursday.
