ORLANDO, Fla. – Residents of Orlando’s Reeves Terrace neighborhood received Thanksgiving turkeys Tuesday evening as part of District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan’s 20th annual turkey distribution event, meeting an increased need amid rising food costs and changes to food assistance programs.
The giveaway, held at the Mayor Carl T. Langford Neighborhood Center, drew long lines before the 5 p.m. start time, highlighting the growing demand for food assistance in the community.
“It’s very popular this year because a lot of people are hurting and food costs are really, really high,” Commissioner Sheehan said, noting that significant crowds had gathered before the event began.
[EXCLUSIVE:Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE)| PINIT!Share your photos]
The initiative, which provides Thanksgiving turkeys and non-perishable side items to Reeves Terrace residents, is entirely funded by community partners rather than taxpayer dollars.
“Not a dollar of your tax money, this is just good-hearted people in our community,” Sheehan explained. “This is part of their thanksgiving, they come every single year.”
[VIDEO: Orlando City, Pride host annual turkey giveaway to support local families]
Community partners for this year’s event include Baker Barrios, Brasfield & Gorrie, Carroll Adams Group, GAI Consultants, Lee Wesley Companies and the Ustler Group of Companies. The Carroll Adams Group provided additional bags of non-perishable side items to help complete the Thanksgiving meals.
Recipients expressed gratitude for the assistance, with some planning to extend the generosity further.
One resident shared plans to prepare meals for elderly neighbors, saying, “It will help us to help others. We’re going to make up some plates for elderly population that have been suffering as well, when you’re on a fixed income.”
The timing of this year’s distribution proved particularly crucial for many residents affected by earlier distribution of food stamps, with one community member noting, “I think it’s great for the community, especially where people’s food stamps were cut off.”
[VIDEO: Orange County Sheriff’s Office gives out turkeys for Thanksgiving]
Following the main distribution, any remaining turkeys and side-item bags will be delivered to seniors living at the Villas at Hampton Park on Hillside Avenue.
The event was exclusively for Reeves Terrace residents, who were required to present a previously distributed flyer invitation to receive their turkey and side items.
Breaking News Alerts
Get breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox.
Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.