Show your support for Delray Beach’s first responders this season by joining Chuck Halberg and friends for the 11th annual Delray Beach Citizens Thanksgiving Day Dinner Distribution for Fire & Police.
Halberg, president of Delray Citizens for Delray Police and owner of Stuart & Shelby Home Builders in the city, rallies the community to pack up complete turkey dinners from the Boys Farmers Market and deliver them to five fire stations, plus one to Ocean Rescue and two meals to the Delray Beach Police Department (one for each shift).
“Sliced turkey, stuffing, potatoes, green beans, pies, drinks, plates, we give them everything,” Halberg said.
It’s “a community thing” that started with cookies years ago, Halberg said. When he delivered the cookies, the firefighters were cooking their own Thanksgiving meal.
“I thought it was kind of crazy that they had to cook,” he said. So, the next year, Halberg decided to do it for them.
His tiny idea has blossomed. In 2024, Halberg raised $16,000 from 160 local families and businesses. These days, donations exceed costs so any overage goes to local charities that help feed people.
These include Eat Better Live Better, a nonprofit that provides access to fresh produce, healthy groceries and nutrition education, and Emanuel “Dupree” Jackson’s EJS Project’s annual Thanksgiving Drive-Through Giveaway that distributes turkeys and food baskets to local families.
The balance goes to the Delray Beach Police Department’s annual toy drive.
“Last year we had 24 cars in the caravan. I would love to have 50 or 60 people show up to deliver, to show our support for police and fire because they are key to our city,” Halberg said.
A donation of $100 is requested and those who donate are invited to deliver meals to first responders on Thanksgiving Day. The parade of cars will leave from a central location at noon Nov. 27 and visit seven sites where everyone helps unload the goodies.
It’s a great time to show your appreciation for the people who serve the city every day, Halberg said. The caravan finishes up around 2 p.m.
Donations can be made by Venmo to @Charles-Halberg or by Zelle to 561-809-1266.
Checks should be made out to Chuck Halberg and mailed or dropped off at Stuart & Shelby Development, 1116 SW 10th Ave. Suite C, Delray Beach, FL 33444.
For more information, check Halberg’s Facebook page at facebook.com/chuck.halberg or call him at 561-809-1266.
— Janis Fontaine
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