SAN DIEGO — Current and former San Diego Padres players and volunteers are making Thanksgiving a little bit more special for 1,000 local families.
"It feels good. It feels great! More food on the table," said a man as he smiled and drove off in his car filled with Thanksgiving goodies.
More food will be on the table for many San Diego families in need this Thanksgiving thanks to the Padres and Northgate Market.
"Blessed, thank you so much, thank you!" said another woman in her car.
“We do it for different organizations throughout the year. USO families, armed services, YMCA families; they are recommended from the food bank. It's families that really need the help," said Bill Johnston, Padres Vice President of Community Relations.
Familiar faces are handing out the turkeys. The Swinging Friar, Padres pitcher Tom Cosgrove, plus former Padres players Mark Grant and Brian Lawrence all volunteered.
"I told my Mom I was giving out turkeys today. She was happy! She was excited," said Cosgrove.
"Being a part of the Padres and this community is a great feeling," said Brian Lawrence, former Padres starter in 2001-2005.
"A lot of smiles, a lot 'Happy Thanksgiving,' and 'Happy Holidays,'" said Mark Grant, former Padres pitcher and current broadcaster.
Something as small as a meal means a great deal to these local families in need.
"I'll have a great Thanksgiving now, thank you," said a man in his car.
"It means a lot. It's very hard for us. We're both working full-time and with food distributions and working in California; it's been so hard for us. This will help 100%," said a woman in her car who is in a military family.
"I feel so happy and blessed I can have this for my family," said another woman whose husband recently got deployed.
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