Orlando Black Men Rally to Feed Hundreds For Thanksgiving

Two initiatives led by Black men in Orlando have garnered support, providing hundreds of families in need with essential Thanksgiving meals.

In a remarkable display of community spirit, two initiatives led by Black men in Orlando last week have garnered significant support, providing Thanksgiving meals to hundreds of families in need.

As reported by Click Orlando, News 6 photographer and Black Men Sundays podcast host Corie Murray spearheaded an effort to collect turkeys for families facing challenges this holiday season. Originally setting a goal of 50 turkeys, Murray surpassed all expectations, announcing on Tuesday that he had collected a remarkable 227 turkeys. Notably, 60 of these turkeys were generously donated by Light Orlando.

Murray, in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, is set to distribute the turkeys at two locations. The first event will take place at the Boys and Girls Club on Raleigh Street in Orlando on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The second location, 309 W. Crown Road in Winter Garden, will host the distribution from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. The food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, ensuring that those in immediate need have access.

Murray expressed gratitude for the community’s overwhelming response. “My dad loved where he was from. Nothing could keep him from Compton. Nothing could keep his parents from Compton. This will forever be a highlight in my life.” Murray’s dedication to community service reflects his commitment to making a positive impact, especially during the holiday season.

In another heartening endeavor, Orlando City Commissioner Bakari F. Burns collaborated with the organization “He Got Up!” to organize a food drive on Nov. 12, providing over 400 meals to families preparing for Thanksgiving, according to WFTV. Addressing the challenges posed by inflation and rising food costs, Commissioner Burns and volunteers distributed meals to those in need, emphasizing that assistance is available to anyone facing hardship.

Volunteer Shantavia Lawrence remarked, “People all have needs. It’s just amazing to see that it doesn’t matter your lifestyle or how you present yourself, you just never know who needs something.”

With the holiday season approaching, these initiatives underscore the importance of community support and the collective effort to ensure that everyone can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. As the spirit of giving continues, additional food drives are planned in the Orlando area, including one in DeLand on Nov. 21, and two more scheduled for Nov. 25 in Deltona and East Orange County.