Columbus, Ohio Kappas distribute more than 2,000 turkeys at 17th Annual Thanksgiving Giveaway

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus (OH) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. distributed more than 2,000 turkeys, along with produce and Thanksgiving side dishes, Saturday, November 14, bringing together fraternity members, young volunteers, elected officials and local radio representatives for its 17th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway.

This year’s giveaway was led by Committee Chairman Leo Prillerman, whose planning and coordination helped bring together chapter members, community partners and volunteers for the large-scale distribution. His leadership helped translate months of preparation into an event that provided more than 2,000 turkeys, along with produce and Thanksgiving side dishes, to Columbus residents. "No matter how tired I am after the Columbus, Ohio Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Annual Turkey Giveaway, it's always worth it," said Prillerman.

“This is what we do, giving back to the community, doing this with our D9 brothers and sisters, volunteers from the community as well,” said Mark Ervin, Polemarch of the Columbus (OH) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Held at Linden STEM Academy, 2626 Cleveland Ave., the giveaway continued a community service tradition aimed at helping Columbus residents prepare holiday meals. The free distribution was scheduled for 8 to 11 a.m., while supplies lasted.

Among those attending were State Senator Hearcel F. Craig, D-Columbus, and Ohio House Representative-elect Charity Martin King. Kappa Santa also attended, along with representatives of Magic 95.5 and Urban One’s Power 107.5.

Chapter members were joined by volunteers from fellow Divine Nine organizations — the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities — and young men participating in Kappa League.

Their involvement brought multiple generations into the service effort, pairing adult volunteers with young people taking part in the chapter’s community outreach.

The event’s promotional flyer identified the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the city of Columbus, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective’s food pantry partner network, Walmart, Urban One and iHeartRadio among its community partners and sponsors.

Saturday’s distribution marked substantial growth from the giveaway’s early years. A 2021 Columbus City Council ordinance described an initiative that began with 100 turkeys and expanded to 1,000 turkeys and complete meals. The ordinance identified hunger reduction as a purpose of the program.

City records also document the giveaway’s sustained reach. In a 2023 funding ordinance, the Columbus Kappa Foundation reported distributing 3,150 turkeys and meals over the preceding four years, feeding an estimated 20,000 residents. The council described the effort as serving neighborhoods where access to healthy, affordable food was limited.

This year’s distribution continued that work in Linden, providing residents with a turkey and additional food for the Thanksgiving table while bringing together community organizations, businesses and volunteers around a shared service project.