National Black McDonald’s Operators Association Is Giving Away 2,500 Turkeys To Chicago Veterans And Families

As the holidays are making a strong turn around the corner once again, the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association is back in action to ensure that families are being fed.

According to Fox 32 Chicago, there were many people heading to their local McDonald’s to pick up some food on Nov. 8 in Chicago and Indiana. They weren’t going there for the Big Macs, Quarter Pounders, or the milkshakes, but to get some of the turkeys that a couple of the fast food eateries were giving out to families. They were being doled out for the 32nd annual turkey giveaway for families and veterans, according to the outlet.

People will be able to obtain the turkeys from five McDonald’s stores throughout Chicagoland and northwest Indiana through Veteran’s Day. By the time the giveaways are done, the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association would have given out 2,500 birds to needy families.

The owner of the McDonald’s at 1st Avenue and Lake Street located in Maywood, Brian Graham, stated that this is the first store that was involved in the “Food for the Body and Spirit” initiative. “The people have been so kind and so generous and so thankful for us putting this together,” he said.

The people who came to get the generous helping of turkey, along with some fixings were also gifted with some baked goods from Bimbo Bakeries. And with the cold weather waiting to be unleashed into the area, attendees were also given some winter essentials, like hats and gloves, according to the outlet.

The National Black McDonald’s Operators Association was formed in 1972, four years after Chicago’s own Herman Petty opened his first restaurant, becoming the first Black Owner/Operator of a McDonald’s franchise. According to the website, the organization was founded after operators and store managers needed a place to share ideas, issues, and concerns happening at the time.