Polk Families in Need Can Receive Free Thanksgiving Turkeys

Just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, Polk County families are invited to receive a free frozen turkey that they can bake at home.

The free turkey giveaway will take place on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at three Polk County locations. The turkeys are limited to one per family, one per vehicle on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. No identification or pre-qualification will be required to receive a turkey.

Courtesy Polk County Sheriff's office

Volunteers from Freedom Trail and the Polk County Sheriff's office will be passing out free frozen turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving at three locations in Polk County, thanks to support from donors across the area.

The giveaway is an effort of Polk Sheriff's Charities, Inc., and The Freedom Tour, a volunteer organization based in Lake Wales. Both are 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organizations. Deputies will be at each location to hand out the frozen birds, which are in the 15 to 17 pound range. Up to 1,200 turkeys will be given away.

Polk Sheriff's Charities, Inc. was formed in December of 2006 following the tragic murder of Deputy Matt Williams and K-9 DiOGi after a routine traffic stop. The community's outpouring of emotional and monetary support after that tragic event ultimately demonstrated how a charity like PSCI would be supported.

"For the seventh year in a row we are blessed to be able to provide turkeys to our citizens, thanks to the generous donations made year-round to Polk Sheriff's Charities," said Polk Sheriff Grady Judd.

The turkeys will be distributed at three locations across the county including

• Church on the Hill, 1111 Scenic Hwy, Dundee, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

• Lake Region High School campus, 1995 Thunder Road, Eagle Lake, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Lakes Church (AKA Church at the Mall), 1010 East Memorial Blvd, Lakeland., from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Deputies will be directing traffic at each location.

" We're so grateful to the volunteers at the Freedom Tour for the use of their refrigerated trucks and for their food donations as well," Judd added. "It is so heartwarming to work with such a generous group of men and women and to be able to make a positive difference in others' lives."