Volunteers helped serve Thanksgiving meals to neighbors in need at Riverside Park.

With the help of community partners, Gleaners served holiday meals to nearly 1,400 families just ahead of Thanksgiving. At three separate giveaways, volunteers came together to provide Hoosier families with holiday food and grocery items.

Bill Estes Automotive hosted its annual Thanksgiving distribution on Monday, Nov. 20. Volunteers from IMPD joined the effort, loading up holiday meals into cars for 852 households.

On Tuesday, Nov. 21, players from the Indianapolis Colts stepped up to serve neighbors with the Indianapolis Black Firefighters Association. It’s the 10th year the BFA has hosted the Thanksgiving giveaway. The City of Indianapolis also pitched in, with Mayor Joe Hogsett handing out hams and turkeys to neighbors. In all, 368 families received food and grocery items ahead of the holiday.

Later Tuesday, Colts star Shaquille Leonard’s Maniac Foundation hosted its annual Thanksgiving food distribution at Chapel Rock Christian Church on Indy’s west side. Leonard showed up to serve the community, despite being cut from the team earlier in the day.

At the event, he told reporters seeing smiles on people’s faces as he handed out food brought him joy.

“It just goes to show that no matter what other people think about me, the people in Indianapolis — they love me for who I am. They love me for what I do on the field. They love me for what I do in the community. It’s a blessing.”

He and other players handed out meals to 176 families.

Shaquille Leonard's Maniac Foundation handed out Thanksgiving meals on the west side of Indianapolis.

Gleaners is grateful to partner with some of Indiana’s most influential people, businesses and organizations to help fight food insecurity. To see how you can get involved with our efforts, click here.