Face of need has changed for James Brown Turkey Giveaway

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - For the 32nd year in a row, the James Brown Family Foundation gave back to the community.

On Monday morning, they wrapped up their turkey giveaway.

Almost 300 turkeys were passed out.

“I’m so excited to be able to continue my dad’s tradition after all these years. You know, he started in 1991. So here we are, you know, 30-something years later, still giving out turkeys in his honor and his name,” said Vice President of the James Brown Family Foundation, Dr. Yumma Brown.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, food prices are up 3.3% this year in comparison to last, making Thanksgiving giveaways more crucial than ever.

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“Especially for senior citizens. They have to make that decision, you know, where does the money go? Food, bills, medication” said President of the James Brown Family Foundation, Dr. Deanna Brown Thomas.

In addition to those turkeys, Golden Harvest Food Bank gave out food boxes to those in need too.

“We wanted to make sure that we were able to bless families going into the holidays, make sure that they had other things to be able to put on the table as well,” said Abby Muehfeld, vice president of marketing for the food bank.

Golden Harvest says this year, almost 9,000 pounds of food were packed in 210 boxes to give out. The boxes were filled with everyday essentials like tuna, pasta, and canned vegetables that were collected during the food bank’s successful October campaign, “It’s Spooky to be Hungry.”

While the James Brown Turkey Giveaway is a fixture at this time of year, something was a little different this time.

Thomas says registrations stayed about the same this year, but the demographic of those being served is changing.

She says organizers usually serve more elderly people, but this year they are also seeing some younger families, as the face of who is in need is changing.

Volunteers who come out every year say it’s a way for them to give people a holiday experience they otherwise wouldn’t have.

“I get a home-cooked meal, and I just want to help people get a home-cooked meal, too, because some people don’t get what I got and I just want to help them out,” said volunteer Camya Moore.

Organizers say they’re looking ahead to the James Brown Toy Giveaway, coming back inside the James Brown Arena for the first time in years.

Registration for the toy giveaway will be held at the arena on Dec. 2 and Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Registration is in person and is mandatory for those wanting to attend the giveaway on Dec. 16.

For more information and eligibility requirements, click here.

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