Hundreds Lined Up In Hyde Park For Annual E.J. Jackson Foundation Turkey Giveaway

HYDE PARK (CBSLA.com) – Hundreds of people camped out Monday in Hyde Park for the E.J. Jackson Foundation 33rd Annual Turkey Grocery Giveaway.

As many as 12,000 turkeys will be handed out Tuesday starting at 8 a.m. to people in need. E.J. Jackson of Jackson Limousine Services started the tradition 33 years ago.

"It's all about giving, love, sharing and just making things happen. Just eating, enjoying yourself," Jackson said.

Michelle Johnson is all smiles because she and her family will now get to celebrate Thanksgiving.

"I was going to skip it. But instead of skipping it, someone suggested we come out here. So, yeah, here we are," Johnson said.

She and her husband have five kids ranging from 3 to 13. She said they recently got laid off from work and could not afford a Thanksgiving meal. So, she was camping out with her children along with hundreds of other people who will be receiving a free Thanksgiving dinner.

"It's beautiful. It's a blessing. It's a blessing," Johnson smiled.

The first 300 people in line will receive a ham in addition to a turkey.