DETROIT - On Thursday, November 16, 2017, Detroit Lions Punter Sam Martin, along with presenting sponsor Scott Hankins of Merrill Lynch, will give away 100 Thanksgiving dinners to Metro-Detroit families at Eastern Market's Shed 5 (2934 Russell St, Detroit) from 6:30pm – 8:00pm.
For the second year in a row, Martin will provide each family with a full Thanksgiving feast including a turkey, stuffing, corn, macaroni and cheese, muffin mix, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes, all pre-bagged for families to pick up at Shed 5 and prepare at home on Thanksgiving for their loved ones.
"There's something special about Thanksgiving dinner with your family," said Martin. "Unfortunately, there are a lot of people struggling to just put food on the table right now, let alone a full spread for Thanksgiving. I'm very grateful to Scott Hankins of Merrill Lynch for helping me make the holiday special for as many local families as possible. It's nice to think when they sit down for dinner on Thanksgiving, we get to share a little piece of that with them."
Local non-profit family organizations, including Families on the Move and Big Family of Michigan, will distribute vouchers to 100 local families who will exchange the vouchers to receive their full Thanksgiving meal on November 16th. Martin, along with teammates, friends and volunteers, will be on hand to pack and distribute the Thanksgiving dinners to these families at Eastern Market's Shed 5, between 6:30 and 8:00 pm.
Sam Martin has been giving back to Detroit and it's surrounding communities since he was drafted by the National Football League's Detroit Lions in 2013. In 2016 he established the Sam Martin Foundation to enhance the lives of children with physical & mental challenges, and to improve the welfare of animals. In addition to the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway, Martin has hosted Family Christmas Parties at local shelters, helped further the mission of organizations like Elevate Detroit and the Michigan Humane Society, and regularly visits with children at local hospitals and organizations.
