Marion Barry was scheduled to hand out turkeys at Union Temple Baptist Church today; but when Barry arrived to the church, there was nary a bird to be found. In response, Barry’s office sent out a scathing release, accusing Giant — who was supposed to supply the turkeys — of “corporate inflexibility.” The release quotes Barry thusly: “It’s simply pathetic and incomprehensible to me that a multi-billion dollar corporation, like Giant, would take a position that would deprive children, seniors and other adults of food for the Thanksgiving holiday.”

Of course, the release goes on to admit that Barry hadn’t, you know, actually paid for the turkeys he had ordered, instead promising the grocer that “the money would be forthcoming in the next two days.” (Seriously, we can’t make this stuff up.)

Giant responded via a statement to TBD this afternoon:

“Earlier this month, Giant Food began working with Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry toward the purchase of 2,000 turkeys to be distributed to families in Southeast D.C. As a good community partner, we placed this large order and offered complimentary delivery to Union Temple Church. This morning, 250 turkeys were delivered, and the remainder will arrive tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. While we’re disappointed in the Councilmember’s comments, Giant is committed to delivering the remainder of the turkeys so that hundreds of families in Ward 8 can enjoy their Thanksgiving meals. Giant is a proud and strong supporter of alleviating hunger in the communities we are privileged to serve.”

Now, this is hardly a major scandal — after all, the turkeys will eventually end up getting to the people who were expecting them. But it does serve as a friendly holiday reminder that nothing is ever Marion Barry’s fault.