The Wyandotte Town Centre Business Improvement Association (BIA) is bringing the spirit of Thanksgiving to Windsor’s east end this week with a major community giveaway. The organization will distribute 150 free turkeys to local families at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Al Sabeel Restaurant, located at 1129 Wyandotte Street East.
The annual event, organized by the BIA’s Board of Directors, has become a cornerstone of the neighbourhood’s community outreach efforts. As many Canadians continue to feel the pinch of rising food prices and inflation, the initiative offers some welcome relief for families preparing for the holiday.
“Our Board of Directors is proud to continue our tradition of giving away free turkeys to local families at Thanksgiving,” said Larry Horwitz, Chair of the Wyandotte Town Centre BIA. “We know times have been challenging for many families. Giving away free turkeys is our small way of saying thank you and celebrating the spirit of gratitude, kindness, and community that makes our neighbourhood such a special place.”
Community Tradition Rooted in Kindness
For the Wyandotte Town Centre BIA, the turkey giveaway is about much more than holiday generosity. It represents the organization’s broader mission of fostering community connection, supporting small businesses, and revitalizing the commercial corridor along Wyandotte Street East.
Each year, volunteers from the local business community work alongside the BIA to ensure a smooth and festive event. Families line up early, some bringing children and neighbours along, creating an atmosphere of celebration and camaraderie. The initiative has grown into a cherished local tradition — one that embodies the area’s cultural diversity and spirit of togetherness.
Horwitz noted that community response over the years has been overwhelmingly positive. Residents often express gratitude not just for the free turkeys, but for the sense of inclusion and care that the event symbolizes.
A Boost for Local Engagement
The Wyandotte Town Centre BIA oversees one of Windsor’s most culturally vibrant business districts, home to an array of restaurants, grocers, cafés, and specialty shops. By hosting events like the turkey giveaway, the BIA aims to attract foot traffic to the area and remind residents of the value in supporting local merchants.
Community events like this one often serve a dual purpose — helping residents while also promoting local business vitality. As Horwitz and his team see it, every act of giving strengthens the relationship between small business owners and the community they serve.
“Gratitude, kindness, and community” are the values the BIA hopes to reinforce through its outreach efforts, especially during times of economic uncertainty. In the wake of higher grocery costs and ongoing affordability challenges, such gestures can have a meaningful impact on families struggling to make ends meet.
Event Details and Participation
Residents interested in receiving a turkey are encouraged to arrive early, as quantities are limited to one per family. The BIA requests that attendees bring their own bag for carrying their turkey home.
Event Details:
-
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
-
Time: 3:00 PM
-
Location: Al Sabeel Restaurant, 1129 Wyandotte St E, Windsor, ON N9A 3K4
-
Contact: Larry Horwitz, Chair
-
Email: [email protected]
-
Telephone: 519-817-6264
-
Continuing a Legacy of Generosity
The Wyandotte Town Centre BIA has been active in community support initiatives for years, hosting seasonal events, beautification projects, and business development programs aimed at enhancing the local economy. The Thanksgiving turkey giveaway is one of several community-oriented efforts designed to bring residents together and strengthen the sense of pride in Windsor’s Wyandotte neighbourhood.
As Thanksgiving approaches, Horwitz hopes the event serves as a reminder of what makes the area special. “Giving away free turkeys is our small way of saying thank you and celebrating the spirit of gratitude, kindness, and community that makes our neighbourhood such a special place,” he said.
For more information about the Wyandotte Town Centre Business Improvement Association and its programs, visit https://wtcbia.com.
