HARLEM, Manhattan (WABC) — The famous Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem hosted a turkey giveaway ahead of Thanksgiving on Tuesday, proving that the spirit of giving is a multiplier effect for kindness.
On a rainy corner in Harlem, volunteers were spreading sunshine, one turkey at a time.
For two decades, restauranteur Melba Wilson, has been handing out free meals. This year, she’s handed out 800 turkeys.
Food is not a luxury. Food is a necessity,” Wilson said. “Anything we can do to give back is our duty, our honor.”
At one point, volunteers took over the M10 bus to hand out the birds.
At 81 years old, Yvonne Bacott should be on the receiving end. Instead, she’s been collecting poultry this week, just to give them away.
“I have plenty of food in my house, trust me. At 207 pounds, I can miss a meal or two,” Bacott said.
Then there’s Caroline Trim. At first, she said no thank you. Then she decided to take one, planning to cook it and then share it with the seniors at her center.
“I consider myself blessed that I am not suffering for food,” Trim said.
Two refugees from Ukraine are about to enjoy their first turkey dinner
“Now we have to celebrate it because we have American turkey. So cool,” Yaryna Ostabshak said.
As for the volunteers, award-winning director Nneka Onuorah flew in from Beverly Hills just for this.
“Helping put food on someone’s table is important to me because I was there once,” Onuorah said.
Even former Knicks star Charles Oakley made an appearance.
“It’s just love,” Oakley said. “Some people don’t know where their next meal is coming from.”
While hunger is a problem for many families, what Eyewitness News saw on Tuesday night was the true spirit of giving thanks.
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