Fort Myers law firm gives away 800 turkeys to people for Thanksgiving

Lines wrapped around the corner of The Pendas Law Firm’s property in Fort Myers Sunday, as hundreds of people received free turkeys to take home for their Thanksgiving feasts.

“The first lady lined up at three o’clock in the morning in the rain and spent eight hours,” said Lou Pendas, CEO The Pendas Law Firm.

For the past 11 years, the law firm has handed out thousands of Thanksgiving turkeys, and every year the local need increases.

“It seems like every year I expect it to be less and less of a need because the economy gets better,”” Pendas said. “Yet the line is the longest I’ve ever seen.”

Lines were filled with people who may have otherwise went without a turkey for their Thanksgiving meal.

“This is a blessing because I didn’t know where I was going to get a turkey from,” Shiela Sanders said.

Turkeys handed out at the law firm average around $20, and, for many, that can be hard to fit into their holiday budget.”

“I get Social Security; 92% of my social security check goes to my rent,” Lucille Spizzirro said. “And I got about $200 left to pay my electric bill, buy groceries, whatever else I need.”

The Pendas Law Firm provides local families with a small gesture of hope, and it’s meaningful for recipients during this time of year. Pendas also hosted turkey giveaways in Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville.

“Holidays are tough, especially when you have kids,” Kristin Milburn said. “And this helps our family tremendously. We’ll be able to have a Thanksgiving dinner.”

This year, the law firm gave away an estimated 800 turkeys, and it gave something for many to be thankful for.

“It give me the opportunity to have my friends or my neighbor or my family come over and serve something good to them,” Spizzirro said.