Thanksgiving will be a little brighter for scores of Newark families thanks to one of the city’s most famous entrepreneurs, hoops great Shaquille O’Neal.

O’Neal’s foundation purchased hundreds of turkeys that were distributed free at CityPlex 12, the Springfield Avenue movie theater he co-owns.

Residents, including many parents with young children, lined up around the block Tuesday, when the turkeys were distributed beginning around 4 pm.

The largesse was handed out by volunteers from a number of groups, including Father’s Now, Newark Now, Stop Shootin’ Music, Hope Boys and staff from the office of Mayor Cory Booker. Also on hand were bikers from the Block Burners and Undakonstruction motorcycle clubs.

Bernard Brown, who was patiently waiting on line Tuesday, was compelled to celebrate the holiday in a particularly appropriate way: by expressing his thanks. The city man grabbed a reporter and insisted on sharing a message he’d “been practicing all day.”

“I want to thank Shaquille O’Neal, and I want to thank Mayor Cory Booker and I want to thank the Newark Police Department for keeping me safe so I can get this turkey,” he said. “Happy Thanksgiving.”