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DES MOINES, Iowa — Thanksgiving is almost a week away, so it was turkey giveaway day at the Bidwell Riverside Center in Des Moines Wednesday.

A long line went out around the building from people waiting for almost 300 frozen turkeys to be given away. The food was paid for by the Polk County Board of Supervisors.

“Actually it’s going relatively smoothly today,” said Missy Reams, of the Bidwell Riverside Center. “Last year it was sleeting rain, people stood outside in the cold weather, so delighted to have this fantastic weather for today.”

The center is the highest volume food pantry in Des Moines, last month it served over 4,000 people.

Charlean Lamar of Des Moines was very thankful for the turkey she received.

“I’m gonna have people over and we’re going to be throwin’ down, I share this with some of the people who don’t have,” said Lamar. “I butter it down real good, put it inside the oven, let it bake, turn it down real low. then I make homemade dressing.”

The Bidwell Riverside Center provides food on a need basis, those who stop here need to show ID to assure they are qualified.