Dolphins hand out Thanksgiving meals

The Miami Dolphins teamed with Feeding South Florida to continue a tradition of handing out Thanksgiving dinners to families in the South Florida area. This year, more than 5,500 meals were distributed across the region, feeding more than 10,000 people.

"This was a great opportunity to help others, especially in a season of giving. We were able to make sure some people have a meal in front of them," Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said. "I have always been brought up in a village that takes care of its own. I'm in a new village, I'm excited about it and we just want to be able to give back to all the people who support us."

Distribution took place starting on November 19, with selected families able to pick up dinners in Liberty City, Little Haiti, Miami Gardens, Aventura, North Miami Beach, Hialeah, Doral, the West End and South Miami Dade.

Wednesday, the Dolphins players, coaches, Miami Dolphins Women's Organization, and mascot TD provided meals for 500 families from Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The meals were purchased by the players and coaching staff. The families were preselected by Feeding South Florida from 50 nonprofit partner agencies. Each meal, which feeds 7-8 family members, included a turkey, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, stuffing, marshmallow delight and cranberry-orange relish.

"On behalf of the thousands of Miami-Dade residents impacted by their Thanksgiving distribution efforts, I thank Steve Ross and the Dolphins organization for their unwavering commitment to help those who need it most," Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said.

"Thanks to the generosity of the Miami Dolphins players and coaches, 500 families who otherwise wouldn't have a happy Thanksgiving are now able to gather around the table and enjoy the holiday festivities. These meals are truly the epitome of changing lives one meal at a time," Feeding South Florida President & CEO Paco Vélez said.

The Miami Dolphins have been conducting the Thanksgiving meal donations since 1992.

All photos courtesy Miami Dolphins.