For months — before any signs the federal government was shutting down — South Florida organizers began planning an early Thanksgiving free turkey giveaway for 500 people.

By pure coincidence, the timing of the Saturday, Nov. 8, event comes as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients worry about how to pay for groceries and federal employees are without paychecks.

Anyone can show up 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Greater Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church at 2601 Northwest 65th St. in Miami. The drive-thru first come, first serve food drive will give people a free turkey as well as other food courtesy of the nonprofit Farm Share .

The event is sponsored by Sen. Shevrin Jones and Rep. Ashley Gantt , two Miami-Dade Democrats.

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