There has been plenty of turnover within the Washington Nationals organization this offseason. But Monday’s “Turkeypalooza,” where the club’s players and staff hand out Thanksgiving meals outside the ballpark, was a welcome return to routine.
Outfielder James Wood and C.J. Abrams — the faces of a rebuilding franchise — greeted residents and dished out the offerings to more than 300 eager recipients.
With dozens of other volunteers, the rising stars handed out 300 insulated bags that featured fresh turkeys, produce, mac and cheese, stuffing and cranberry sauce. Each bag featured enough offerings to feed a small family.
The event marked the beginning of the eighth annual “Turkeypalooza,” the Nationals’ November blitz to help families in need during the holiday season.
“It’s awesome,” said Lori Chatman, a District resident who lined up outside the center field gate to grab a bag. “Our home team, taking care of its people.”
Within 15 minutes, the Nationals’ volunteers had handed out all 300 bags that they had prepared that morning. The recipients ranged from season-ticket holders to those who couldn’t pick Woods and Abrams out of a lineup.
Regardless, there were plenty of “Thank yous” and “God blesses” to go around.
“It means everything. It’s our responsibility as the professional baseball team to invest in the community and to have the players invest in that with us,” Lauren McCarthy, the vice president and executive director of Nationals Philanthropies, said. “For them, you know, to feel compelled to support the community that they play for, it means everything.”
There are more than 1 million people experiencing food insecurity around the Washington region, according to the Capital Area Food Bank. The food insecurity rate is higher immediately surrounding Nationals Park. More than 20% of adults in the Navy Yard neighborhood are food insecure, the charity said. That number ticks up to 60% to the west of the ballpark, in the homes between the Navy Yard and Fort McNair.
“It’s hard to put a huge meal on the table right now,” Ms. McCarthy said. “Prices aren’t great, so I think any bit of relief we can provide to our community, we’re happy to do.”
Wood and Abrams shared the same sentiment. Donning home jerseys, they posed for selfies and shook hands as they handed out full Thanksgiving meals.
“Putting a smile on people’s faces makes me smile too,” Abrams confessed.
“It’s a great community here and I feel like they’re always helping us out and having our backs. It’s nice to be able to give back,” Wood, a Maryland native, said. “The offseason is an even better time to do it.”
Concerns around the District have only ticked up amid a tumultuous year for the federal government, with widespread layoffs and a month-long federal shutdown.
“It impacts everything, everything finances, food, everything, housing. Impact everything,” Ms. Chatman said. “This will be a big help to me, putting food on the table for my family.”
Monday’s event was just the opener for Ms. McCarthy and Nationals Philanthropies. The organization plans to hand out 800 more meals before Thanksgiving, with additional distribution sites planned at the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy and KIPP DC Legacy College Prep on Tuesday.
A final event at the Oakcrest Community Center in District Heights, Maryland, will wrap up the festivities — the latest event in a busy year for the Nationals’ charitable arm.
The organization continues to offer afterschool snacks for area students and a market where families can purchase full meals for $5, which Ms. McCarthy joked is “about the price of an avocado” at an average grocery store.
“Our market has definitely seen an increase in patronage. So we have increased what we have available every week, especially the last couple of months since the government was shut down,” she said. “We just see more and more kids show up to those programs, and they’re taking home food for their family, which is such a treat.”
When asked if he had any words of inspiration for families struggling this holiday season, he paused.
Ultimately, he offered advice to those who, like himself, have a more comfortable Thanksgiving planned.
“Just help each other out as much as you can,” he said. “It’s community, at the end of the day. I feel like we’re all stronger together.”
