Albertsons and Tom Thumb will hold its annual giveaway to donate 2,100 turkey dinners (including canned foods, stuffing and sides) to Fort Worth families this Saturday.
Tomlinson’s Touching Lives Foundation is partnering with Albertsons to distribute 1,800 of the turkey dinners from parking lot 14 on TCU’s campus.
The giveaway, which will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., is for needy families who’ve received vouchers from organizations like the Tarrant Area Food Bank and the Touching Lives Foundation. Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price will attend with former Los Angeles Chargers running back and Horned Frog, LaDainian Tomlinson, who will introduce the event at 11 a.m.
TCU police will be on-site to direct traffic. A map of the traffic route is posted on the university’s website.
Carol Roberts, community relations and partnership marketing manager for Albertsons, said TCU has hosted the event for six years, except when a home football game last year prevented the school from hosting.
Roberts said the turkey dinner giveaway gives volunteers a chance to do their part in helping the community.
“All of this is important, especially during the holidays,” she said. “We try to do them all year-round. It’s important to know that everybody needs to give back to the community.”
This year they will have volunteers from Albertsons as well as groups like the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Fort Worth and the Salvation Army. Roberts said students can still volunteer, adding several TCU students took part last year.
She said volunteers primarily help with setup starting at 6 a.m.
She added no one ever knows what kind of hardships families face, whether it’s a loss of breadwinners in the family, sudden medical expenses or other financial problems.
Last year, multiple veterans were among the families receiving donations.
“We couldn’t be more proud of what we do in Fort Worth at TCU,” Roberts said. “It’s just a wonderful day.”
While Albertsons and Tom Thumb will provide the food for the Nov. 18 drive, other food drives, missions and food banks in the area are accepting donations. This includes Tarrant Area Food Bank, Mission Arlington, First Presbyterian Church and the Community Food Bank.
