Neighbors Distribute Hundreds Of Turkeys To Needy In Time For Thanksgiving

Carl Dixon once lived on the streets. Today he resides on Salem Street right next to the Hill’s Howard Avenue police substation, where he picked up one of 56 free turkeys being handed out by NICE (New Haven Inner City Enrichment) Center on Saturday morning.

NICE served over 80 families in addition to people on the streets at the pre-Thanksgiving giveaway. It was of numerous holiday food giveaways in recent days, including another held in Fair haven around the same time Saturday.

Attendees bundled together outside the Hill police substation, waiting for their number to be called, deli-style.

Dixon’s was number 36. Without a job, he’s surviving off disability benefits, he said, living day to day. The free turkey was a help.

“It’s tougher than people think it is,” Dixon said. ​“Disability isn’t enough. That’s it. You get it and then owe it right back. Disability is not no free money. Today, I needed to find a place that has a meal. I’m thankful today.”

The pantry gave each family or person one Turkey Valley Farms gobbler along with another bag that with sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and mac & cheese.

Included in the bag was a pamphlet with information on how to receive benefits and services.

A little ahead of Dixon stood a man who goes by the nickname ​“Hurricane.” He said that if it weren’t for NICE giving him a free Thanksgiving meal, he would have had to rely on a family member to provide him one.

“They’re expensive,” Hurricane said. ​“A ham at the grocery store is almost $40! Then there’s all of the fixings for Thanksgiving. What they’re giving out today is good stuff.”

Hurricane, 67 years old, said he has struggled to find work. Tthe state’s rental assistance program kept him sheltered throughout the pandemic. Meanwhile, he had hip and knee surgeries.

“I was on the edge,” Hurricane said. ​“But I just got a job at UPS, so I’m on my way. I started on Monday, but it really was a long struggle for the past eight months.”

Monica Harrell, from Serenity Home Health Care, was packing two turkeys from the NICE pantry into her car (in addition to what she bought on her own) to deliver directly to clients.

She said she wants to keep the Thanksgiving spirit alive.

“The turkeys are extremely expensive, and people are on low income or they’re receiving food stamps, or maybe disability,” Harrell said. ​“It’s been a hard year for everybody. Especially with Covid-19, and people losing their jobs. Getting sick and passing on. They might not even have their family anymore like they did last year.”

Within an hour Saturday, all of the turkeys were gone. Five bags remained with the boxed food items.

Pedro Morales walked up to grab a turkey. Due to the high demand, he instead received a chicken with his bag of sides.

“That works!,” Morales said, as he gladly accepted the chicken.

Morales, 52, is said he receives disability benefits.

“I’m applying for housing. Just waiting,” Morales said. ​“But hey, I’ve got my chicken! I can at least put something in my stomach, you know?”

This was the seventh year NICE Center held the Thanksgiving food giveaway. Every last Saturday of the month, the food pantry outlet hands out free items.

Denta Joyner, NICE Center’s secretary, said all donations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Joyner said a lot of the people who attended are regulars. Eighty families on average receive food donations a month.

Also Saturday, at 269 Peck St. in Fair Haven, FISH of Greater New Haven, which delivers food and services to homebound people in need, and New Reach, a supportive housing provider, partnered for a turkey drop-off event, delivering 1,200 turkeys and bags of sides straight to clients’ homes.

Jill Meyerhoff, executive Director of FISH of Greater New Haven (pictured above), said her agency’s caseload has doubled.

“Due to the Covid-19 crisis, we went from serving about 600 people last year to delivering 1,200 clients who are all homebound,” Meyerhoff said. These clients can’t go out. They can’t go to a pantry. They can’t go to the grocery store because they’re homebound and food insecure.”

Clients include veterans, those who are ill, the disabled, and families stricken by Covid-19.

“Their stories are heartbreaking,” said FISH Intake Coordinator Jim Sonet. ​“The number of people who need help — it just keeps increasing. We only have so many resources and have so many clients. Our waiting list is always filled and we’re always adding more people.”

Dozens of assigned volunteers arrived to pick up their set of donations to deliver around the city.

Dan and Alana Kroeber from Wallingford rolled up with their two young children in the back seat to pick up enough donations to supply nine houses.

Alana, who works at United Way, had received an email about the volunteer opportunity.

“We wanted to do something to help out around Thanksgiving,” Alana said. ​“So it was a great opportunity for the whole family. We’re so grateful for our health and our family, so we wanted to find a way to give back.”

FISH provided 188 turkey dinners as well for New Reach clients

Michael Jones (pictured) was one of the New Reach clients who came to pick up a turkey.

Jones is diabled and was dragged down by the pandemic. He did receive some extra food stamps from the state and extra money that only allowed him to just make ends meet.

“I’m very grateful,” Jones said. ​“If it weren’t for this, I would have been able to eat at a friends’ house but not have my own. I’m a single father with a 16-year old daughter. We’re going to spend the holiday together.”