Thanksgiving season will again bring one of Long Island’s largest single-day turkey distributions to Valley Stream, as Green Acres Mall prepares to provide 1,000 turkeys to local families in need on Nov. 19.
The giveaway is part of a long-standing tradition at Green Acres, with the turkey distribution program running for a decade. Over the years, the event has grown into a coordinated, multi-agency distribution system involving elected officials, community groups, law enforcement and civic leaders.
“Green Acres believes in being a good neighbor and giving back to the community pretty much all year long, but Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that we all celebrate,” Jill Bromberg, the mall’s community relations manager, said. “So, we’re proud to help families across the island gather around the table for a warm meal, and I feel that by partnering with our elected officials and community organizations, we’re ensuring that the turkeys reach families who really need them the most.”
The giveaway is not first-come, first-served at the mall, and the turkeys will not be available for walk-ups at Green Acres on the day of the event. All 1,000 turkeys have already been allocated through elected officials and community-based organizations, which are handling their own distribution plans. Some are using sign-ups, while others are holding scheduled handouts, but all of them will collect and distribute the turkeys on the same day because the product is frozen and cannot be stored on site.
The distribution includes traditional, kosher and halal turkeys, reflecting the diversity of the communities surrounding Green Acres. The mall has been purchasing the turkeys from multiple distributors, since no single source carries all three types. Frozen shipments are slated to arrive by truck, and partner offices and organizations are responsible for picking them up and transferring them to local households the same day.
The effort is part of a larger year-round community program operated by Green Acres and its parent company, Macerich. Green Acres is one of three New York properties under Macerich ownership that hosts a Thanksgiving turkey initiative, with Kings Plaza Shopping Center in Brooklyn and Queens Center also operating separate holiday distributions. At Green Acres, the project has expanded over time, and the current 1,000-turkey giveaway has been in place for the past three years.
“Macerich is deeply committed to the communities our shopping centers serve,” Joe Floccari, property manager at Green Acres, said. “The annual turkey giveaway at Green Acres reflects our ongoing mission to support local families and foster meaningful connections beyond retail. Bringing people together and supporting our neighbors, especially during the holiday season, is what community is all about.”
Food insecurity across the region continues to shape demand for the program. Rising grocery costs and the recent pause in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have increased the need for direct food support heading into the holiday season. The purpose of the distribution is to ensure that families who may not otherwise be able to purchase a turkey are still able to sit down to a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
More than a dozen elected officials are collaborating in the effort, including State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Assembly members Michaelle Solages, Judy Griffin and Ari Brown, Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, County Legislator Carrié Solages, Town of Hempstead Council members Melissa Miller and Laura Ryder, Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare and village trustees.
More than 20 organizations, along with community and civic partners, are also involved, such as the JCC of the Greater Five Towns Food Pantry, Kosher Response’s Gabriel Boxer, also known as the “Kosher Guru,” the Mill Brook Civic Association, officers from the 4th and 5th precincts of the Nassau County Police Department and additional participating organizations. Each is responsible for distributing its share of turkeys directly to households that it has identified in advance.
“The Green Acres 1,000 Thanksgiving turkey giveaway is a beautiful reminder of what community truly means, coming together to lift one another up,” Legislator Solages said. “I’m proud to partner with local organizations and businesses to ensure families across our district can celebrate Thanksgiving with dignity, joy and gratitude.”
The event requires extensive logistics because of the number of partners involved and the physical challenge of moving 1,000 frozen turkeys from delivery trucks into vehicles for same-day redistribution. Volunteers from participating offices and organizations are expected to assist in loading and transporting the turkeys.
In addition to the turkey distribution, Green Acres runs events throughout the year designed to engage local families, schools and nonprofits, including a backpack giveaway, PTA fundraising programs, Halloween activities and ongoing seasonal programming.
The turkey distribution also marks the beginning of the mall’s winter holiday schedule. Santa is slated to arrive on Nov. 21, followed by the annual tree lighting the following day. A Hanukkah concert will take place on Dec. 13, and a holiday shopper appreciation gift-with-purchase promotion on select dates beginning Nov. 28.
