COLUMBUS – ‘Tis the season for turkey giveaways, food donations and toy drives.
During the third annual “Cops & Gobblers” event, sponsored by Starfish Assignment, Columbus police officers and volunteers will gather at the Douglas Community Center in South Linden Wednesday afternoon to pack more than 200 bags with frozen turkeys and side dishes before delivering them door-to-door to families living in the nearby Rosewind Apartments, Starfish Assignment Founder Nicole Banks said.
The “Cops & Gobblers” giveaway is supported by Kemba Financial Credit Union, the Starfish Assignment, Walmart, and the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.
The Division of Police will offer free Thanksgiving turkeys to families at its downtown headquarters and five other locations around the city Monday.
The giveaway will be on a first-come-first-serve basis while supplies last:
- Division of Police Headquarters – 120 Marconi Boulevard
- Substation 5 – 1371 Cleveland Avenue
- Substation 11 – 950 East Main Street
- Substation 13 – 544 Woodrow Avenue
- Substation 18 – 1120 Morse Road
- Substation 19 – 2070 Sullivant Avenue
No prior signup is necessary and the giveaway is open to all Columbus residents.
The giveaway is supported by Wasco Wholesale Automotive Supplies, Byers Auto Group, Giant Eagle, Columbus Police Foundation, Yenkin-Majestic Paint Corporation, and Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse.
The Salvation Army in Central Ohio’s “Salvation Army Christmas Cheer” free toy and food program for families and seniors is already underway.
The organization began accepting applications on Nov. 9 and will continue taking them until Dec. 1.
The “Christmas Cheer” program provides free toys and a box of food for Christmas breakfast and a turkey dinner, including turkey, potatoes, vegetable, milk, eggs, bread, butter, pie, and more.
Applications must be filled out in person at one of the following Salvation Army neighborhood locations Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through Dec. 1:
- Salvation Army – Linden – 3662 Karl Road
- Salvation Army – Hilltop – 2300 W. Mound St.
- Salvation Army – Southside – 888 Parsons Ave.
- Salvation Army – Main Street/Downtown – 966 E. Main St.
- Salvation Army – Worthington – 760 Worthington Woods Blvd.
Seniors and individuals without kids can apply for a box full of food.