Shoals family business hands out hams to customers for the holidays

LAUDERDALE CO., Ala. (WAFF) – A family-owned business in the Shoals has a holiday tradition they love: sharing with the community.

Employees with Thornton Iron & Metal, a recycling center, hand out a free ham to every customer that shows up to turn in scrap metal. Workers, like Amber Stacy, have said you could bring in anything from an aluminum can to a scrap car.

They bought over 400 hams to hand out. The Thornton family has been doing this for decades. The business has been around for 50 years. Stacy said the tradition dates so far back they cannot even remember when it began.

“Their main goal when they give out the hams is to one give back to the community and to two show how much our customers are appreciated,” Stacy said. “So every year, the day before we go on Christmas break they give out hams.”

They have 3 locations in the Shoals: Florence, Rogersville and Town Creek.

Stacy said the best part is knowing they’re helping the community.

“To put it all into one word, I guess would be joy,” Stacy explained. “Like the joy that we see on their faces. Especially if they’re not expecting one when they come in and then they’re sent home with a ham. It’s very heartwarming to see that.”

If you missed out this year, Stacy said they do it every year right before Christmas.

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