ATLANTA — Atlanta City Council member Andrea L. Boone is partnering with recording artist, actor and entrepreneur T.I. to distribute hundreds of turkeys to Atlanta grandparents who are raising their grandchildren during an event Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. The turkey giveaway will be held at the C.T. Martin Recreation Center, 3201 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW.
“As we gather with family and friends during the holidays, it’s especially important to remember that there are people in our community who face hunger every day. By organizing this turkey drive and putting a spotlight on food insecurity, we’re working to ensure that people can enjoy a meal during the holiday season and throughout the year,” Boone said. “Our annual turkey giveaway is geared specifically toward grandparents raising their grandchildren. These are families that too often are underserved.”
The turkey giveaway is being held in partnership with the Harris Community Foundation and other community organizations. The event was first organized in 2007 by Boone and former Atlanta City Council member C.T. Martin, as well as T.I. and his family.
The event has grown from handing out 100 turkeys during its first year to now distributing 800 turkeys. Thanks to community involvement and support, fresh fruits and vegetables are now distributed as part of the event as well.
Since its inception, the event has focused on assisting grandparents who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren by providing fresh food and helping improve the health and well-being of those families in Atlanta.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 11.3 percent of households in Georgia and 11.7 percent of U.S. households were food insecure at some time in 2018.These households were uncertain of having, or were unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all their members because of financial and other barriers.
