Dallas Cowboys partner with Salvation Army to hand out turkeys for Thanksgiving

Several Dallas Cowboys alumni teamed up with Tom Thumb-Albertson's and the Salvation Army of North Texas to make Thanksgiving special for those in need. And they weren't the only ones making sure no families go without a meal this holiday.

DALLAS - For many North Texans, Thanksgiving is time to break bread with family.

But for many folks, a Thanksgiving meal would not be possible without the help of strangers.

United Hands Relief and Development, a nonprofit in Arlington, handed out turkeys to dozens of families Tuesday.

"Remember those who may not be in the same position with the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy," said Jamie Ba with the nonprofit.

People are grateful for the help.

"I think this a wonderful opportunity for people to show how they care about their community, and we're blessed to be here," said Deborah Hawthorne.

It was a similar scene at the Carr P. Collins Social Service Center in Dallas. Several Dallas Cowboys alumni teamed up with Tom Thumb-Albertson's and the Salvation Army of North Texas to make Thanksgiving special.

"The harvest is plentiful. The workers are few. We have to share the love. We cannot hold on to it," said Cowboys alumnus Charles Haley.

"It's a matter of reaching out to people to let them know people really do care," said Cowboys alumnus George Teague.

"When people pull up here, they're not just faces. They're people with problems," said Cowboys alumnus Everson Walls. "They wouldn't be here unless they definitely needed this. So I'm just glad we're here to help them."

Folks were given a turkey and sides ahead of the holiday. This is the 25th year the Dallas Cowboys have partnered with the Salvation Army for the event.

"There's a great responsibility to use that visibility to do something good with it, and this is our something good," said Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President Charlotte Jones.

The Salvation Army of North Texas operates 13 food pantries throughout the area and serves some 10,000 people per week.

"It's always important to provide this service, especially this week because we're also helping them to have a holiday that people combating poverty deserve," said Jay Dunn with the Salvation Army.

The spirit of giving spreading holiday cheer to North Texas families in need.

All of the organizations say they need your help to make events like this happen, whether it’s through donating money or your precious time.