This week, a large-scale holiday meal giveaway by Rivers Casino Portsmouth in Hampton Roads, Virginia, helped support hundreds of families. Portsmouth City councilman Vernon L. Tillage Jr. spearheaded the initiative, gifting full Thanksgiving dinners to roughly 500 local households facing financial strain. Such gestures also help cement Rivers Casino’s status as a pillar of the local economy.

The Drive Prioritized People Struggling to Cover Food Costs

By mid-morning, a constant stream of cars was already lining up outside the distribution site. Casino staff and volunteers were loading bags filled with turkeys, macaroni and cheese, peas, stuffing, and cornbread mix into trunks as families pulled up. For many, the groceries represented more than a meal. They were a break from weeks of anxiety.

Speaking for The Virginian-Pilot, Tillage noted that the initiative targeted the most vulnerable individuals and families, such as those affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown. Breast cancer survivors struggling to cover treatment costs and people burdened with other financial stresses also benefited from the food drive.

I’ve had so many families over the last two weeks call to say they were out of a paycheck.

People seeking to take advantage of the initiative were required to preregister and provide details about their financial problems. The ongoing uncertainty reportedly caught many people unprepared. Tillage noted that his office received an overflowing number of calls from federal workers and contractors who had gone weeks without paychecks. 

The Region Is Especially Vulnerable Due to the Federal Shutdown

Portsmouth and neighboring Norfolk serve as critical hubs for the region’s military and federal workforce. Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval base in the world, anchors the surrounding economy and employs tens of thousands. Active-duty military personnel and civilian federal workers make up roughly 145,000 workers in the area, all tied to the federal government. As a result, any government stoppages have an immediate impact.

The Thanksgiving Vibes Turkey Giveaway relied heavily on the efforts of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. Rivers Casino Portsmouth covered the food bank’s cost for the meals, contributing about $7,500 to secure the 500 dinner packages. This initiative was all about looking after neighbors, a tradition participants hope will continue long after the shutdown’s effects fade.

The donation drive comes on the heels of another headline for the casino. Earlier this month, Rivers Casino Portsmouth staff became the first casino employees in Virginia to ratify a union contract. A whopping 95% of the members voted in favor of joining Teamsters Local 822, securing new wage scales, improved benefits, and enhanced job protections.