COLUMBUS, Ohio — Thanksgiving is around the corner and the city of Columbus is making sure families have food on the table. The Columbus Division of Police hosted its second annual cops and gobblers event at the Douglas Community Center.

Stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans and yams were just a few items families found in this year's cops and gobblers Thanksgiving bags. Officers that patrol the Douglass area came up with the idea, hoping to meet community members under more positive circumstances.

“To be able to contact the officers in a positive day — that’s not the worst day of their life — and to have this great opportunity to smile, and be a recipient,” said Tim Becker, a deputy chief with the department. “It not only makes their thanksgiving better, but it makes our day”. 

The event hits home for Destiny Wade.

“A lot of my family struggle getting the basic Thanksgiving dinner, so for them to know that they have everything for just for one day, brings my heart joy,” said Wade, recreation leader for the Douglass Community Center.

She said she sees the community’s struggles first hand. Last year, the community faced unemployment and loss. This year, inflation has been the struggle.

Forbes reported that the price of a frozen turkey this year is more than 20% higher than last year. The event did not only provide the traditional Thanksgiving sides, but families also received a turkey.

“You can get cranberry sauce, green beans for like a dollar, maybe, but just know that one big price they don’t have to worry about it. It’s everything,” said Wade. 

The event is a collaboration between the Columbus Division of Police, the Department of Parks and Recreation and various community partners. After all of the supplies had been packed, officers and volunteers went door-to-door in the Rosewind apartment neighborhood to deliver the bags to neighboring families.

“It's just good to see that they came back this year,” said Wade. “I just hope that we can continue to do this and it gets bigger and better every year.”

Families on the west side of Columbus also had a chance to grab a Thanksgiving supplies bag. After cops and volunteers finished in Rosewind, they were able to pass out even more food at the Glenwood Community Center.