ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Hundreds of Central Florida families found holiday relief Saturday as the Orange County Sheriff’s Office gave away 600 turkeys just days before Thanksgiving.
The event drew cars lining up before dawn at the sheriff’s office’s Central Operations Center, a testament to the deep need still affecting local households following the recent government shutdown and ongoing delays in food assistance benefits such as SNAP.
“These events mean food on the table,” said one of the three women who waited in line before sunrise. “The prices of everything are going up and frustration over prices (…) with me, I don’t get food stamps, so I’m doing it on my own. You gotta do what you gotta do.”
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While the government shutdown ended earlier this month, many families are still waiting for SNAP benefit payments to resume, leaving a gap that local nonprofits, food banks, and law enforcement agencies are scrambling to fill.
According to Orange County Sheriff John Mina, this year’s turkey giveaway was more important than ever.
“We’ve done this every single year, but with everything going down, shut down, and people’s benefits being frozen until recently, there’s such a great need. You can tell the people here are very thankful,” Mina said.
The sheriff’s office, supported by deputies and volunteers, provided each family with a turkey and a full box of traditional fixings. According to organizers, families began arriving as early as 3 a.m. hoping to secure one of the coveted turkeys or available gift cards.
“More and more people have definitely showed up. With prices rising and paychecks not covering as much, every bit helps,” Mina said.
Recipients described the event as a vital lifeline during tough times.
“I get food stamps and it’s like this. My kids are grown, but I have grandkids and we’re trying to survive,” one mother said. “But our country, we can’t have all these people working for the government and not doing anything (…) you should work your job and get paid for it.”
If you missed this year’s annual turkey giveaway, the following locations will be handing out food throughout the week.
Archie Gordon Memorial Park at 420 Buenaventura Blvd, Kissimmee, FL 34743
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Drive through for a turkey and Thanksgiving meal essentials for Osceola residents.
Heart of Florida United Way
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Thanksgiving meal essentials and a grocery gift card. Registration is required for (Orange/Osceola/Seminole) residents.
Solid Rock Community Church at 1904 Michigan Ave, Kissimmee, FL 34744
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Turkey giveaway. First-come, first-served.
Inter&Co Stadium at 655 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32805
Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Free turkey with sides. It is first-come, first-served while supplies last.
Pendas Law Firm at 655 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.
Turkey giveaway.
Barnett Park Rec Center at 4801 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32808
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