NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Salvation Army Hampton Roads Area Command will continue the mission of service to the community with a giveaway of 2,000 turkeys.
Partnering with CMA CGM and Military Circle Mall, the Salvation Army says the giveaway is open to the community.
While supplies last, the public is invited to join them Saturday, Nov. 21, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Military Circle Mall.
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the event will operate as a drive-thru style event and guests must stay in their vehicle.
There will be a walk-up station for anyone coming via public transportation or on foot. There is a limit of one frozen turkey per family (18 to 20 pounds) or a maximum of two turkeys per car with proof of two families from separate residences.
The event is part of CMA CGM Group’s Giving Across America Thanksgiving initiative to donate 10,000 turkeys and thousands of additional Thanksgiving meals to support charitable food distributions.
Maj. Donald Dohmann, who is the area commander, says the group reached out to them about helping to feed families this year.
“We’ve had to look at other ways to serve families but in a different way,” he said. “We were looking at how the Salvation Army was going to supply or deliver holiday meals for Thanksgiving. About a month and a half ago, the CMA CGM called and say ‘Hey, what are you guys doing to help the community for Thanksgiving? Because we want to partner with you.”
The turkey distribution is not the only change the Salvation Army has had to make in response to the pandemic.
Dohmann says there are new changes to their Red Kettle program, which now includes cashless options as well as virtual volunteering options, a virtual Angel Tree program, and adaptations to the Kroc Center in Norfolk.
“We’re using the facility as a learning center for families that’ can’t miss work or don’t have child care and have elementary students. We have that learning program operating at the Kroc Center,” he said.
As for this weekend’s event, Dohman is encouraging people who need a turkey to come out and he’s excited the Salvation Army is working with CMA CGM to make it possible.
“It really was a blessing for us and it will be a blessing for our community this weekend,” he said.
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