NORFOLK, Va. — Food is what brings everyone together for the holidays. That togetherness is what Norfolk resident Ruth McDaniel looks forward to.
“Family means a lot," said McDaniel. "As you get older, you appreciate it more.”
Norfolk Sheriff's Office (NSO) deputies are making sure several families have enough food on the table for Christmas.
“We have about 150 turkeys, 50 of them are just turkey breasts,” said Norfolk Sheriff Joe Baron
It’s all boxed and bagged inside patrol cars and headed to several locations.
“They’re bringing the community back together and closer to each other and let them know that we can depend on them,” said Kenneth Banks, Norfolk resident.
Sheriff Baron said the effort to help the community continues to grow. After Tuesday’s events, they’ll have delivered 300 meals to families for the holidays.
“It used to be like 100 turkeys and the sides we would give away around Thanksgiving… but it also grew to us doing it twice,” explained Baron.
Baron said a lot of people would not have a holiday meal if his deputies and other organizations weren't able to do this.
"This is about giving," he said. "It's all about telling my troops, 'Hey, every day look for an opportunity to help somebody.' If we can do that, we can put a smile on their face, we can have better relationships with our community."
McDaniel looks forward to this support and spending some time with the people who protect and serve.
“It feels to know that people care and somebody cares about you,” McDaniel said.
Deputies also dropped off meals to churches and other non-profit organizations. The sponsors for this event include Summit Foods, Keefe, Little Lily Ministries, Thomas Mayhew, Wegmans, and the Sheriff Joe Baron Foundation.