Real Estate Search and Sale Helps a Turkey Find Its Next Home

Come feed the turkey at Emory Grove United Methodist Church.

The Junkluggers of Capital Beltway is donating its decorated turkey float to Emory Grove United Methodist Church and bringing the turkey to the church itself. On Sunday, November 22, neighbors are invited to come to the church and feed the turkey non-perishable food. Let no one go hungry this Thanksgiving.

The journey of the turkey: from the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade to Emory Grove United Methodist Church

Every journey begins somewhere. This one starts on Saturday, November 21 in Downtown Silver Spring at the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade, where neighbors line Georgia Avenue to watch the floats, marching bands and giant balloons go by. Come out, find The Junkluggers of Capital Beltway's decorated turkey, wave, and cheer it on. Its destination is already set.

The turkey is not just passing through. The Junkluggers of Capital Beltway is donating its decorated turkey float to Emory Grove United Methodist Church and bringing the turkey to the church itself. On Sunday, November 22, neighbors are invited to come to the church and feed the turkey non-perishable food. Let no one go hungry this Thanksgiving.

• Start: the parade. The Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade begins at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street in Downtown Silver Spring and travels south on Georgia Avenue to Silver Spring Avenue, according to the organizers. See the Downtown Silver Spring Thanksgiving Parade page for the schedule and road closures.
• Destination: the church. The turkey is headed to Emory Grove United Methodist Church, 8200 Emory Grove Rd, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877, where it will be waiting to be fed.

The map shows the drive between the parade's starting point and the church. The turkey's exact route will be shared on the social media accounts of Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC. Open directions to Emory Grove United Methodist Church in Google Maps.

Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade 2026: what to know before you go

The Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade returns to Downtown Silver Spring on Saturday, November 21, 2026, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Visit Montgomery describes it as the only Thanksgiving parade in the Washington, DC metro area, with festive floats, marching bands, mascots and special guests. Past parades have drawn as many as 10,000 spectators and more than 100 participating groups, according to Visit Montgomery.

The Banner reports that twelve-foot inflatable turkeys, gingerbread men, elves, reindeer and Santa Claus take over the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District on parade day. This year, one of the floats has a destination: after the parade, the turkey float from The Junkluggers of Capital Beltway heads to Emory Grove United Methodist Church.

• Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026.
• Place: Downtown Silver Spring. The route starts at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street and runs south on Georgia Avenue to Silver Spring Avenue.
• Time: Recent parades have stepped off at 10 a.m. Check the official Downtown Silver Spring parade page to confirm the 2026 schedule and road closures.
• The turkey: Look for The Junkluggers of Capital Beltway's decorated turkey float, then follow its journey on the social media accounts of Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC.

Why a turkey float needs a new home

Once a float's big day is over, it needs somewhere to go. This turkey has found its place. The Junkluggers of Capital Beltway is donating the float to Emory Grove United Methodist Church and bringing the turkey to the church, where it will anchor a Thanksgiving food drive in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Picture the truck and its balloon turkey rolling into the church parking lot, a sight neighbors will want to see. Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC is proud to support the drive, and we are working to coordinate the rehoming of other floats. A good float, like a good home, deserves a next chapter.

Feed the turkey. Let no one go hungry.

Feed the turkey: what to bring

Drop off non-perishable food at Emory Grove United Methodist Church. A few ideas:

• Canned vegetables and fruit
• Soup and beans
• Pasta and rice
• Cereal and peanut butter
• Stuffing mix and canned cranberry sauce

Please check expiration dates and bring items unopened. Questions about what the church can accept are best directed to the church through its website.

Watch the turkey's journey

Watch the social media accounts of Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC for the turkey's journey from the Montgomery County Parade, then come to the church and feed the turkey. The time is tentative, and this page will be updated as soon as the church confirms it.

About Emory Grove United Methodist Church in Gaithersburg

Emory Grove United Methodist Church, at 8200 Emory Grove Road in Gaithersburg, describes its mission in three words: Transforming, Loving, Committing. It is a mission-driven congregation whose ministries gather to serve the Gaithersburg community, and everyone is welcome. Learn more at the Emory Grove United Methodist Church website.

The church also carries a long local history. Montgomery History notes that Emory Grove was one of roughly 50 Black communities formed in Montgomery County after the Civil War, according to its county history records. The current church building was completed in 1903, and Clio's entry on the church reports that it is the only building left standing from the Emory Grove community and its camp meeting days. The City of Washington Grove's history pages add that former residents have long returned on Sundays to worship at the church.

Today the church continues to keep that history alive, including through the Heritage Emory Grove project. Learn more about Heritage Emory Grove and the community's story.

About The Junkluggers of Capital Beltway, the donor of the turkey float

The Junkluggers of Capital Beltway is a junk removal company serving Maryland and Washington DC, including Montgomery County and Prince George's County. It handles residential and commercial removals, estate cleanouts and senior downsizing, along with cleanouts of attics, basements, garages and storage units. Its goal is to donate, rehome or recycle as much as possible, working with local charities and certified recycling facilities, so that good materials stay out of landfills and useful things reach people who need them.

According to its about page, the company builds its work on professionalism, compassion and environmental responsibility, offers free on-site estimates, and maintains relationships with local charities. Its Silver Spring page lists items it handles, including furniture, appliances, electronics, exercise equipment, clothing and outdoor gear.

We see that approach as a stellar model for repurposing, keeping materials out of landfills and providing for others. The turkey float is a fitting example: instead of ending its parade life in storage or a landfill, it is on its way to help feed neighbors. Visit the Junkluggers of Capital Beltway website to learn more about its services.

Around Gaithersburg

The food drive is open to neighbors from across Montgomery County. The communities below are a sampling of the many communities Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC serves, and they are named here as places to explore on the way to the church.

• Olde Towne Gaithersburg: the city's historic downtown, home to the Gaithersburg Community Museum in the B&O Railroad complex.
• Kentlands: a walkable, master-planned neighborhood known as a “New Urbanist” community.
• Lakelands: Kentlands's neighbor, also designed for walking, with homes near commercial districts.
• Washington Grove: a small town that began as an outdoor religious summer camp meeting association and still has a tree-filled setting.

For city services and events, visit the City of Gaithersburg. For county planning information, see Montgomery Planning. These communities are a sampling of the many Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC serves in Montgomery County and beyond.

How Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC supports the food drive

Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC is a real estate brokerage with more than 20 years of experience helping people move through life's changes. Most of our business comes from referrals, and a list of references is provided on request. We support this food drive because a community that feeds its neighbors is a community worth coming home to.

Through our vast network of service providers, we can share contact information for licensed professionals. Clients are always free to use any provider they like.

Donate your parade float to a food drive

Do you own a parade float, balloon or holiday display that deserves a next chapter? Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC is working to coordinate the rehoming of floats, and we would be glad to hear from you. Tell us about your float, and we will do our best to introduce you to a church or community organization that could use it for a food drive. Introductions depend on each organization's needs, space and approval.

We are glad to keep a list of churches and community organizations that would welcome a float, so that the right float finds the right home.

While you are with us, explore our home buyer seminar and home seller seminar, or visit Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC to see how we help neighbors in Montgomery County.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Thanksgiving food drive in Gaithersburg, Maryland?

The food drive is Sunday, November 22, 2026, four days before Thanksgiving. The time is tentatively 2 PM–6 PM. Check this page for confirmation.

Where is the Thanksgiving food drive?

The food drive is at Emory Grove United Methodist Church, 8200 Emory Grove Rd, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877.

What should I bring to the food drive?

Bring non-perishable food to drop off. Canned vegetables and fruit, soup, beans, pasta, rice, cereal, peanut butter and stuffing mix are a few ideas. Please check expiration dates and bring items unopened.

Who is donating the turkey float to the church?

The Junkluggers of Capital Beltway is donating its decorated turkey float to Emory Grove United Methodist Church and bringing the turkey to the church.

What is The Junkluggers of Capital Beltway?

It is a junk removal company serving Maryland and Washington DC that aims to donate, rehome or recycle as much as it can, keeping items out of landfills.

Why is Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC involved?

Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC supports the food drive and is working to coordinate the rehoming of other floats.

When is the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade in 2026?

The parade is Saturday, November 21, 2026, in Downtown Silver Spring. It starts at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street and runs south on Georgia Avenue to Silver Spring Avenue. Recent parades have stepped off at 10 a.m., so check the official parade page for the 2026 schedule and road closures.

Where does the turkey's journey begin?

The journey begins at the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade in Downtown Silver Spring, where neighbors can see the turkey and cheer it on. Its destination is Emory Grove United Methodist Church in Gaithersburg.

Where can I see the Junkluggers turkey float?

You can see The Junkluggers of Capital Beltway's turkey float at the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade on Saturday, November 21, and at Emory Grove United Methodist Church during the food drive on Sunday, November 22.

What is Emory Grove United Methodist Church known for?

Emory Grove United Methodist Church in Gaithersburg is known for its mission of Transforming, Loving, Committing and for its place in local history. Its 1903 building is the only one left standing from the historic Emory Grove community and its camp meeting days, according to Clio.

How do I feed the turkey?

Come to Emory Grove United Methodist Church on Sunday, November 22, with non-perishable food to drop off. Watch the social media accounts of Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC for the turkey's journey from the Montgomery County Parade.

How can I donate my parade float to a food drive?

Complete the float donation form in the donation section above with your contact information and details about your float: its size, where it is stored and the area you would like to help. You can also talk with Carolyn Thompson, Broker, or call the 24-Hour Appointment Desk at 202-630-5070. We will do our best to introduce you to a church or community organization that could use it.

Can a church or community organization receive a donated float?

Yes. Churches and community organizations that host food drives are welcome to complete the same form so we can keep them in mind when float owners reach out.

Could the time change?

Yes. The 2 PM–6 PM time is tentative, and this page will show the confirmed time as soon as the church provides it.

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