Celebrity Birmingham attorney Alexander Shunnarah, famous for his “Call Me Alabama” billboards across the state, gave away 1,000 turkeys on Thursday afternoon in front of his new office at the former Birmingham News building.

“I’m just giving back,” Shunnarah said. “Birmingham is just who I am.”

It’s the third annual turkey giveaway for Shunnarah.

“It means a lot to me, and I appreciate their help, because a lot of people don’t have enough for Thanksgiving,” said Michelle Jackson, who picked up a turkey from Shunnarah for the second year in a row.

The line for free turkeys extended around the block.

“I’m going to eat good on Thanksgiving,” said Steve Duncan, picking up his turkey. “I appreciate it. It helps me out a lot.”

Shunnarah moved into what is now his national headquarters at 2200 Fourth Avenue North in Birmingham on Aug. 1, after purchasing the building in April from Kemper Insurance Co. It was built in 2006 as The Birmingham News building. Alabama Media Group moved out in 2014 and now has an office in the Denham Building.

Shunnarah runs a call center in the building with 270 employees. He represents 60,000 customers in 27 states.

The new building has made giving away turkeys easier, Shunnarah said, allowing for four giveaway stations along Fourth Avenue North and 22nd Street North.

“Turkeys these days, they’re not cheap,” said Shunnarah.

He paid $30 apiece for the Honeysuckle white frozen turkeys, he said.

Shunnarah was born and raised and attended school in Birmingham, then opened his law firm in 2001 on Clairmont Avenue.

“Everyone in Birmingham has always supported me,” Shunnarah said. “I just feel compelled to give back to the community. I really do. I’m not doing it to get cases. Birmingham is loyal to me anyway. It feels great. I love to give. I’ve been blessed. I do it from my heart.”

He also feels it helps meet a need.

“Most of these people are Birmingham residents,” he said. “Most people who come to get the turkey really need the turkey. When you do something nice, it leaves you with a really good feeling.”