Marion Barry’s turkey giveaway goes on

D.C. residents lined up around the block Tuesday morning in Anacostia for the traditional Ward 8 turkey giveaway and to pay tribute to the council member who started the tradition — Marion Barry.

Mr. Barry died Sunday, but organizers and family members wanted to go on with the event to honor his memory.

Volunteers distributed 3,000 turkeys and 40,000 pounds of fresh vegetables to Ward 8 residents as they filed through the basement of the Union Temple Baptist Church.

“We had people lining up at 6 o’clock in the morning. The doors didn’t open until 9 a.m.,” volunteer Bruce Holmes said. “That’s how much of a need we have in the community.”

Barbara Jones, the event’s organizer for the last nine years, wiped away tears talking about the late council member and said it was tough to go on with the giveaway without Mr. Barry present. But she said the fact that the event has gotten bigger every year has demonstrated the great need in Ward 8 and she hopes to keep the tradition alive in years to come.

“People are more appreciative of him this year,” Ms. Jones said.

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SEE ALSO: Photos: Marion Barry’s turkey giveaway goes on

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The four-term mayor and sitting Ward 8 council member died Sunday of natural causes at the age of 78.

Several of those who attended Tuesday’s giveaway donned old campaign T-shirts or buttons sporting Mr. Barry’s name or campaign slogans as a way to honor him.

“I know his presence is here,” said Antoinette Thorne, who wore a T-shirt emblazoned with a “Barry for Ward 8” campaign slogan and carried his recently published autobiography, “Mayor for Life.” “Now that he’s gone it’s going to be hard for somebody to fill his shoes.”

Also in attendance briefly for the event was Cora Masters-Barry, wife of the late council member.

“I certainly wish that if I could have anything I would be sitting home watching television and Marion would be standing here giving out turkeys. And since he’s not here I’m trying to do what I can,” she said choking up as she spoke.

Mrs. Barry handed out bags of food and greeted a line of Ward 8 residents as they filed through the church basement.

Mr. Barry’s family is still working out the logistics of his funeral, which is likely to be a large-scale affair.

D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray has said that Mr. Barry’s body would lay in state at the John A. Wilson Building and that officials are working on organizing a proper tribute.

On Tuesday, city officials invited residents to city hall to sign a book expressing condolences at the passing Mr. Barry. The book will remain available for people to sign on Wednesday and Friday.