It’s time for turkeys to take over
Helpings From the Heart highlights area’s free Thanksgiving fare
Eric Holm’s Thanksgiving shopping list looks something like this:
Roasted turkey — 3,000 pounds. Ham — 3,000 pounds. Mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, stuffing, cranberries, sweet potatoes, corn, pie, fruit and beverages for 20,000.
Holm’s Helpings From the Heart at the Salvation Army in Orlando may be the biggest free Thanksgiving meal in the state, and with Thursday’s 23rd annual edition it’s one of the oldest.
Thanks to the labor of 1,000 or so Salvation Army volunteers and contribu-
tions from Smokey Bones, Cheney Brothers, PepsiCo, MBM Foodservice, Harvill’s Produce Co., Bubbalou’s Bodacious BBQ, Puff ’n Stuff Catering, Universal Orlando and the Orange County Sheriff ’s Office, Holm manages quite the spread. And, yes, he’s anticipating 20,000 diners.
The event – free to anyone who shows up – opens Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Salvation Army gymnasium, 400 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando, and lasts until at least 5 p.m. Meals are also available for carry-out or delivery to nursing homes, shut-ins, local churches and others in the Orlando area.
“We see Thanksgiving as a way of helping Central Florida by providing for those in need,” said Holm, who owns 30 Golden Corral restaurants and other businesses in the Southeast. “Each year, I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve others.”
Holm knows a little about humility. Though he’s now a multimillionaire, he grew up poor. In high school, he bussed tables at the restaurant where his single mom worked as a waitress to support their family of six. And on Thanksgiving they too relied on the Salvation Army for a meal, he said.
While Helpings From the Heart is the granddaddy of Thanksgiving dinners, it’s not the region’s only free turkey:
On Tuesday morning from 8:30 to 10:30, The Pendas Law Firm continues its annual tradition of distributing free turkeys to families in need. The firm expects to have more than 3,000 birds available among its four Florida locations, including the one at 625 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando. The distribution is first-come, first-served.
On Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 7:30, United Global Outreach is serving a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to the Bithlo community. The free event will be at Transformation Village, 18415 11th Ave., in Bithlo.
On Wednesday, the Orlando Union Rescue Mission hosts its annual Great Thanksgiving Banquet at its Men’s Center, 410 W. Central Blvd., in Orlando. The event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is free to anyone needing a hot meal. Volunteers will serve a traditional Thanksgiving spread of turkey with gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes and desserts. Guests will also get packages of socks, undergarments and hygiene items donated by local schools, churches, businesses and individuals.
On Thursday, the nonprofit One Heart for Women and Children will be serving 400 hot meals at 628 W. Anderson St., in Orlando, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Guests can eat on site or take the food to go. Anyone in need is welcome. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, the Osceola Council on Aging will hold its Thanksgiving celebration at the Barney E. Veal Center, 700 Generation Point in Kissimmee. The traditional holiday meal is free to everyone, but donations are welcome.
Also at 11 a.m. Thursday, Community United Methodist Church, 4921 S. U.S. Highway 17-92 in Casselberry, will serve its free community meal. Note: Reservations are required. Call 407-831-3777.
At noon Thursday, Christ the King Episcopal Church, 26 Willow Drive in Orlando, will serve a free community Thanksgiving dinner. Reservations are required. Call 407-277-1151.
At 1 p.m. Thursday, Matthew’s Hope Ministries will serve a Thanksgiving Day meal for homeless individuals and families in west Orange County at 1460 Daniels Road in Winter Garden.