Dollar Dynasty Continues Serving Community Via Annual Thanksgiving Giveaway

By Kelsey Mako

Thanks to hard work and a commitment to service from Dollar Dynasty’s founder Victoria Brown, Dollar Dynasty had its annual Thanksgiving giveaway on Friday, November 20 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Brown, commonly known as “Miss Vicky,” was born into poverty and strives to give back to her community, as seen through her work at Dollar Dynasty since it opened in 2003.

At 9 a.m., Dollar Dynasty’s parking lot was full of people waiting for Thanksgiving meals. By 10:30 a.m., almost 150 Thanksgiving meals had already been given away. However, Thanksgiving is not the non-profit’s only food giveaway; Dollar Dynasty has a free food giveaway every Friday.

“We want them to make it, and we want them to rise up,”

Brown said, referring to those receiving the food. Brown said she continues to give food to people even after they have made it because she wants them to continue this trajectory.

Born in 1939, Brown was one of seventeen children. With her mother confined to bed for much of the time, Brown was left to raise her siblings, committed to keeping them out of foster care.

“I gave up everything to make sure they stayed home.”

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In 1960, Brown moved from Georgia to Sarasota, continuing to support her siblings while working her way out of poverty, making only 25-26 dollars a week. From 1964-1998, Brown worked in the Food and Nutrition Department of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital. During this time, Brown made dinner for the elderly she met who provided her with companionship. “If had not met these steady loving, good-hearted people, I would not be living here.”

Before Dollar Dynasty, Brown volunteered at All Faiths Food Bank. With the help of donations and assistance, Brown was able to start the humanitarian aid and community outreach organization Dollar Dynasty.

“Angels and all my donors have been keeping us afloat.”

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Dollar Dynasty is unique in the way that it gives away free meat, not just for holidays, but every Friday. The organization has been giving away meat since 2003, beginning before other non-profit organizations.

Brown’s efforts do not go unnoticed. Thomas Davis, a man in line who used to work with Brown at Sarasota Memorial, said “It helps. You make a little money, get food stamps, and then this is the third wheel. It helps you make money stretch as far as you can.”

Joy, who came with her uncle and kids, said Dollar Dynasty is especially helpful for working parents not receiving welfare benefits.

“Now I’m not spending 200 dollars for some of the food items. It helps with my family. It helps with my kids.”

Dollar Dynasty has six regular volunteers. Brenda Beachem, one of these volunteers who was working at the Thanksgiving giveaway, discussed the benefits her own grandchildren experienced from Brown’s programs and the time Brown spent with them. “She’s [Brown is] a pillar to the community.”