Thousands of people braved a blocks-long line to receive free turkeys and Thanksgiving dinner fixings Tuesday at the 33rd annual E.J. Jackson Foundation turkey giveaway in South Los Angeles.
Some people began lining up days ago to ensure they would receive one of the thousands of boxes of food given away in what has become a Thanksgiving tradition.
About 10,000 boxes of food were distributed during last year’s event. Organizers said more than 12,000 full dinners will be handed out Tuesday.
“I would just give him (Jackson) a hug and say thank you for blessing me and my twins,” one woman waiting in line told ABC7. “We’ve been in a homeless situation for a year, and we’re finally renting a room and I’m truly grateful for the dinner and everything And I’m going to feed five families with this one meal.
“Thanksgiving is about giving thanks, appreciating all your blessings, everything you get,” she said.
The line of people waiting for food wrapped around several city blocks and into the Jackson lot at 5924 West Blvd.
“I think it’s amazing for someone to have a heart like that,” another woman told Channel 7. “You know, to give all these people a gift.”
According to the foundation, it has given away more than 415,000 turkey dinners over the years. It also traditionally attracts local elected officials and celebrities who help prepare the food boxes and distribute them.
—City News Service