This week, a handful of organizations are coming together to giveaway thousands of turkeys for the holiday season.

One of this year’s turkey giveaway in Manhattan is a partnership between a host of organizations, including the FDNY, NYPD, the Police Athletic League, Catholic Charities, AARP and WABC Radio. The turkeys were donated by Gristedes and D’Agostino Supermarkets.

“What is it all about?” John Catsimatidis, CEO of Gristles and D’Agostino, asked. “[It’s] taking care of our inner-city Americans and worrying about our people.”

In total, they’re going to give away 10,000 turkeys over the next few weeks, and they began with 50 of them outside St. Malachi Roman Catholic Church in Midtown Monday morning.

The very first person in line for giveaway was a woman named Betty, who preferred NY1 only to use her first name.

“They said ‘free turkeys,’ and I signed up really fast,” Betty said while laughing.

She lives on the west side of Manhattan and heard about the giveaway through Encore Community Services.

“I was here early,” Betty told NY1. “I’m very happy, and it’s very nice they’re giving out free turkeys this year. I hope to enjoy it!”

“It feels heavy,” Manhattan resident Patricia Abelard said with a laugh. “It will feel delicious in a few days.”

Many of the New Yorkers NY1 spoke to participate in the programs put on by Encore Community Services, which provides congregate meals, low-income housing, and social services for seniors.

“This 10,000 turkey giveaway does two things,” Jeremy Kaplan, executive director of Encore Community Services, said. “It feeds people, and it provides socialization so people are not lonely.”

“This is a season of thanksgiving, not thanks-receiving,” Mayor Eric Adams said at the event. “So we should be giving.”

The state health department says one in four residents of New York state experience food insecurity. This time of year, in the wake of record inflation, the problem likely only feels worse.

“I’m blessed. I feel very good,” Bronx resident Gabriel Turner, who showed up for a turkey, said. “That turkey cost like $50 or $60. So you are saving some money and can put that money toward your bill.”

Asked if it’s going to make his Thanksgiving a little brighter, Turner said, “Oh yes!”