A local Thanksgiving dinner giveaway draws thousands.

The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York gave out free dinners to hungry locals on Wednesday in Jamaica. Cornish Hen, wild rice, and vegetables were all on the menu. Church members, students, and the police department pitched in to serve the food.

“I think it is a part of what ministry should be, and that is helping the people, helping the community, trying to drive them to a place where at some point they can be better,” said Pastor Floyd Flake.

“It's good for me because I like to eat and I get a free meal. I really do enjoy it, though,” added participant Micah Crank-Sims.

Organizers say the annual event has been drawing about five thousand people a year for the past thirty years. Meals are also available Thanksgiving Day from 10:00a.m. until 2:00p.m.