Here's why a Toronto nightlife hotspot is giving away 1000 free turkeys this week

A Toronto hotspot for nights out and celebrations is giving back to the community this week, handing out 1000 free turkeys to families in need.

We're coming up on a decade since Toronto's iconic Honest Ed's closed its doors for good, but the memory of the discount store's legendary annual turkey giveaways still looms large.

For decades, the Ed Mirvish-owned landmark saw throngs of Toronto residents in need line up to get their hands on a turkey for the holiday season, with scattered revival attempts occurring around the city in the years following the store's closure in 2016.

This year, none other than upscale bowling alley and nightlife hub Ballroom Bowl will be trying its hand at handouts, giving away free turkeys to Toronto residents in need on Thursday, Dec. 18.

It's an effort to thank the Toronto community for supporting the business for the past 15 years, the Ballroom Bowl team says.

"Supporting our city and our neighbourhood has always mattered to us, and it feels especially important now," says Paul Donato, founder and CEO of Ballroom Bowl. 

"Thank you, Toronto, for more than 15 great years. And thank you, Honest Ed, for the legacy you created and the inspiration you continue to give us."

In partnership with Sysco Foods, the entertainment hub will be handing out 1,000 five- to nine-kilogram frozen turkeys to families in need (one turkey per family) starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18.

"This is about feeding families and helping those in need," says Donato. "If we can make the holidays a little easier for even one household, it's worth it." 

Well, it looks like the teams at Ballroom Bowl and Sysco could very well make things easier for not just one, but 1000 households this year. How's that for a little goodwill toward men?

The turkey giveaway will take place at Ballroom Bowl's original location, 145 John St.