Hundreds of turkeys were given out ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday during an annual tradition that is now in its 18th year.

Lines were long Saturday in St. James Park on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. Dexter Gardiner with the Gardiner Foundation started the event 18 years ago after losing several family members that year. He tells News 12 he wanted to give back and teach others how to also volunteer.

Gardiner says people are so grateful for this event.

"They call me a day after and just say thank you because we really needed this meal for my family," he said.

There were other organizations on hand for the event as well including the NYPD and Council Member Pierina Sanchez. Her team was able to give the foundation a $25,000 grant to support the event.