Not even the rain and chilly weather could stop the College Park residents from lining up at their local Walmart. Turkey may be synonymous with Thanksgiving, but the holiday table is ready to be graced with an abundance of other healthy and flavorful food offerings.
While the rain poured, lines and lines of College Park families gathered to receive a Thanksgiving blessing.
Walmart partnered with the TRU Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Grammy Award-winning artist 2 Chainz and philanthropist Nakesha Epps, to serve the community in College Park with a new event called the “Greens and Things Thanksgiving Giveaway.”
Inspired by 2 Chainz’s commitment to eating clean, this initiative with Walmart reimagines traditional holiday giving with a focus on wellness and community. It also marks the first time in a decade that 2 Chainz will be personally serving in his hometown.
The first 150 families moved from station to station outside Walmart with individual tote bags and were treated to a bundle of greens, canned Thanksgiving staples, College Park Skyhawk ticket vouchers, and a $50 Walmart gift card to buy their protein and added ingredients of choice.
Walmart also donated all the canned goods being distributed. Each SkyHawk ticket voucher is good for two people.
2 Chainz said they must lead by example for the community and the younger generation.
“This is not only an experience to remember, but we are doing this for you all, for the community. With everything going in the world and in the community, this is about finding reasons to come together, where it is not something negative or bad,” he said. “We have to come together, and we just wanted to see families smiling and bring their families together, this right here is for the sake of good.”
Epps said they started TRU Foundation in 2011 and have been giving back diligently every year to the east side and south side, places her and her husband, 2 Chainz, are from.
“We just cater to all kinds of families in need, and we don’t take that lightly. This is what we started with, this is where we started, so we are more than happy to give back to the community,” she said.
One fan was star-struck and shouted, “Is that 2 Chainz?” The fan dabbed him up and was such in awe to have run into one of his favorite musical artists.
College Park resident Bonita Johnson said she has been here since 12:30 a.m. Monday morning waiting for this event to start.
“I wanted to be one of the first in line to receive all these Thanksgiving blessings,” she said. “I’m just so happy and grateful to the TRU Foundation and 2 Chainz for giving back to his community, it’s appreciated. Now, I’m able to make some food for my family this year.”
Other residents, Carla Levinson and her sister, said they are so happy to have received their “greens and things” and be a part of this community event.
“My sister and I were worried it would’ve been canceled due to the rain, but as you can see, this event is full of people. It’s so nice to see all the families come down to get their food and other items. We all will be eating good and together this Thanksgiving season,” she said.
The event also turned into a real block party, with a DJ and hot chocolate station for all to enjoy, with two southside McDonald’s restaurants providing 150 meals for attendees (Old National Highway and Virginia Ave. locations).
The “Greens and Things Thanksgiving Giveaway” was also being supported by Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. and the A.J. Terrell Jr. Foundation, with a raffle taking place for game tickets.
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