MAPLEWOOD, Minn. – Thousands of Minnesota families are ending the week feeling extra grateful after Minnesota Wild and Jennie-O stepped up to help alleviate the cost of Thanksgiving dinner.
Cars lined up outside Maplewood’s Aldrich Arena Friday for the chance to win a free frozen bird.
“It’s a pretty good deal, I mean it helps. If you’re in need, it really helps,” said Dale Francisco of Minneapolis. “That’s a big cost of the meal there, so you can get something else.”
For the first time in years, the cost of Thanksgiving turkey is expected to drop slightly – with the cost of a frozen bird falling by about 4%.
But as the cost of other groceries rises, the cost of “name brand” Thanksgiving is rising again: an average of $90 for a meal for 10 people.
“You can see turkeys are almost $20, $30,” said Serena Taylor of New Brighton, who was first in line for the giveaway. “A lot of people, once they spend their monthly food stamps, or whatever they have, they have nothing left to spend. They spend it on everyday things. This is very important to them.”
The Wild also partnered with community food shelves to distribute turkeys this holiday season.
“It’s amazing. You get smiles, you get tears of joy,” said Community Relations Manager Bella Iversen. “They’re so grateful to just come and get a turkey. That may be overlooked when shopping for Thanksgiving, but for some of these people it’s a huge need.”
