Who knew that turkey fundraisers for the homeless and those in need was such a lucrative hustle? AOC evidently figured that out.

“Thanksgiving is two weeks away,” the self-described “Bronx girl” wrote in an email pitch last week. “Will you chip in $5 or anything you can today to help us bring the joy of the holiday season into homes around NYC this year?”

Here’s the problem. Anyone who donates ends up donating to ActBlue, the long time Democrat fundraising arm which has been having significant problems lately. Yes, that’s correct, the money does not go directly to homeless shelters or any non-profit entity that purchases Thanksgiving turkeys for the homeless and those in need. 

It seems she’s been doing this in one way or another for quite some time now. This is from 2021.

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Team AOC to you and your family!

In anticipation of the holiday, we partnered with local organizations in The Bronx and Queens to distribute food and educate our community about food insecurity.

In addition, we partnered with local leaders and groups to put together a Food Justice Panel and Turkey Giveaway in The Bronx this past weekend to ensure our neighbors are able to celebrate the holiday and reserve a turkey for their families. Over 1,000 Bronx residents attended the event and we distributed 650 turkeys to families.

With the support from our grassroots movement, we’ve raised $33,589.64 for three community organizations working to put food on the tables of low-income families and neighbors in our community. Our fundraising efforts continue here:

First, I’d say that the homeless and those in need don’t need nor care about a so-called “Food Justice Panel.” They just want…FOOD. Secondly, how about putting the word out and asking for donations directly TOO the community organizations that are serving those in need?

Why the pass through via ActBlue? Oh. Wait. 

“A campaign is not supposed to be a pass-through for charitable work,” said former City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli. “What if she raised enough money for a million turkeys? Would she buy a million turkeys, or would she keep $990,000 for her campaign and then throw the rest of the turkeys out the back of a truck and take a photo-op?

“This is a clear case of why a campaign is not a charitable organization,” he added.

City Councilman Robert Holden (D-Queens) — who’s hosted turkey drives of his own without seeking donations from the public — agreed.

“Socialists like AOC and Mamdani love to promise everything for free, but somehow it always ends with them shaking down working people under the guise of community good will,” he told The Post.

ActBlue is an outright Democrat fundraising organization that has ‘gifted’ protestors with lunch money over these last few years. The ONLY way those funds AOC raises would get to the homeless and community charity organizations is if it was a pass-thru situation. 

Last anyone knew, that’s not only unethical it’s illegal. You can make it sound sympathetic and such. But if the money doesn’t actually end up as turkeys in the hands of those in need…that’s a big Gobble No. 

Still doesn't make up for the 25,000 jobs she threw away when Amazon wanted to put a warehouse in her district. Jobs or turkeys? AOC says, no job for you! Only turkey. Shut up or you lose turkey, too! https://t.co/uKJQXHZPXp

— Maikel Bailey (@maikelbailey) November 22, 2025

She was super sympathetic about all those lost jobs wasn’t she? Well, no. But she sure does love her some striking Starbucks baristas! 

Since the money raised is going to ActBlue and likely her campaign coffers, who is actually PAYING for the turkeys? Are the homeless shelters and families in need getting ONLY a turkey? Or will this fundraiser include the trimmings? That part isn’t clear.

I can picture it now, AOC, and possibly her sort of husband, showing up on a families doorstep gleefully showing off her turkey “gift” and then waltzing off patting herself on the back for her good deed. Meanwhile the family is stuck with a turkey and… nothing else. 

The family is still on the hook for all the trimmings and possibly even a pan to COOK the turkey in! 

AOC’s largess only goes so far I guess. Then again, I wonder if she’s finally figured out what a garbage disposal is?

AOC’s turkey campaign is for the birds. With the money being funneled through ActBlue, the only turkeys left holding the bag are the ones who donated to her “fundraiser.” 

Feature Photo Credit: artwork by Victory Girls Darleen Click