The Foodland grocery store in Midland is giving away hundreds of turkeysfor free, so that less fortunate families can enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner.

This is the first year that the grocery store has decided to give away between 450 and 500 free turkeys.

“The economy is changing. It's been a tough year for most people,” explained Foodland Owner Shawn Freer. “We're just trying to give back to some of the people that maybe had a tough year and couldn't afford a turkey this year.”

Word about the free turkeys has spread quickly throughout the town.

“We were just talking the other day, that we weren't going to able to afford a turkey and now we have one...it's just amazing,” said Midland resident Don Bullock.

Foodland will continue to give away the turkeys right up until Christmas Eve.