Our story
It started with one meal.
Shawn “Toof” Gray was born and raised in Columbus. As he built a recording studio, a promotion company, and a platform that connects local artists with local businesses, this city kept showing up for him. People bought the tickets, spread the word, and believed in his ideas, year after year. In 2021 he wanted to say thank you the best way he knew how. So he and his creative partner, Justin “J Hornz” Hornis, gave away a single Thanksgiving meal to a stranger who was known and loved by many.
One meal became 10 turkeys the next year, then 25 the year after. The studio crew and a handful of friends ran it themselves, paid for it themselves, and grew it to 121 turkeys by 2024.
In 2025 the drive became a registered 501(c)(3), and Tanaya Kirk joined Shawn and Justin. Today she serves as the Turkey Drive’s Vice President. Tanaya first got involved while managing a community bar, but Columbus has known her much longer as someone who shows up for her neighbors and brings people together. With her organizing and fundraising, local businesses joined in, vegan meals were added for the first time, and about 70 volunteers came out to help. We set out to give 500 meals that year and gave more than 1,000.
Ask anyone who has been there, and they’ll tell you the best part isn’t the numbers. It’s the joy on people’s faces when they pick up their meal, and the hands that spent the morning getting everything ready. Our volunteers are young and old, the families we serve come from all walks of life, and for one day everyone shares the same thing: the love of a Thanksgiving meal.
Every year, more volunteers and staff join the cause. The idea hasn’t changed. Neighbors helping neighbors, because this community helps build us every day. Signing up for a meal is simple and respectful, and every dollar goes toward food on someone’s table.
“We started with one turkey. Now, 500 turkeys.”
Shawn Gray to Columbus Monthly, 2025
- 2021
One family, one meal, and the idea that started it all.
- 2022
10 turkeys, and 10 families who didn't have to worry about Thanksgiving.
- 2023
25 turkeys. A tradition was starting to take root.
- 2024
121 turkeys, paid for out of our own pockets and handed out by the studio crew and volunteers.
- 2025
We became a 501(c)(3). About 70 volunteers and local businesses joined us, vegan meals made sure no one was left out, and over 1,000 families sat down to Thanksgiving.
- 2026
Our biggest table yet: 2,500 meals for 10,000 neighbors. Pull up a chair.
