Last minute Thanksgiving holiday shopping

Grocery stores across the country are seeing more and more shoppers come in as the time gets draws closer to cooking that yearly Thanksgiving feast

"I'm getting a fudge pecan pie for a customer so I've been standing in line for a couple hours", says Perlicia Wilson Thomas who was standing in line at House of Pies Wednesday afternoon. The line at the location off Kirby near W Alabama had a line wrapped around the building.

Store owner and manager Chuck Jim says the restaurant is open 24/7.  "Pecan and pumpkin on obviously and we're doing a lot of strawberry cheesecake and a lot of cream pies like bayou goo which is our house favorite", says Jim.

Others are hitting Up the grocery stores, grabbing last minute items. Turkeys of course, stuffing, peas, everything needed for the big meal

"We're trying to beat the rush from tomorrow early morning so I think we're doing the best we can", says Jason King who was shopping in the produce section at the Kroger off Buffalo Speedway. Managers at that location say about 4,000 turkeys have been bought so far, about half of those were donated to local charities.

 

However there are some people who can’t exactly make it home for the holiday. First responders like fire fighters are still working their 24 to 48 hour shifts, a reason why Ford held a “Built Ford Tough” tailgate for the crews at fire station 11.

"Even my restaurants are close on Thanksgiving so to give to these guys on that day when they have to be away from their families while they are protecting over us I mean that is one of the better sacrifices a man can make", says the owner and chef of Reef, Little Bigs and many other Houston area restaurants Bryan Caswell.

Crews had fun tossing footballs, playing corn hole and eating bbq.

Senior Captain Ruy Lozano, spokesman for the Houston Fire Department said, " we're pretty appreciative of AND for somebody to actually recognize THOSE sacrifices  of just for us but they also allowed our families to come out so that's pretty cool".

Even football legend and sports analyst Andre Ware attended the event, spending time and saying thanks for those who protect us, while we’re at home with our families. "While were at home getting fat these guys are out keeping the community safe and putting out fires literally”, says Ware.