Where New York City Will Give Out Free Turkeys and Thanksgiving Dinners
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and while the holiday is usually filled with lavish treats and holiday dinners, we know many families are struggling, so we could use some help from organizations offering free turkey in New York City.
Mommypoppins has compiled 13 local organizations that are trying to help anyone who needs help putting food on the table or getting a hot meal this Thanksgiving.
Inflation, job losses, mounting debts and more have left many New Yorkers facing food insecurity.
New York has a meal delivery assistance program if you meet certain requirements. You can always find the nearest food pantry and community kitchen by calling the Emergency Food hotline at 866-888-8777 or dialing 311. And the Get Food NYC map is a great place to bookmark.
Where to Find Free Turkey in New York for Thanksgiving 2023
1. Catholic Charities of New York
Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Memorial Community Center. This organization hosts an annual free turkey and Thanksgiving food drive. Call 888-744-7900 to register and for details on collection times.
2. The Salvation Army Harlem Temple Corps
The Salvation Army will be giving away Thanksgiving turkeys on Wednesday, November 15th at 10am. Registration required. More information can be found on the organization’s Facebook page. Appointments for Thanksgiving Day assistance are available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
3.Gardiner Foundation Turkey Giveaway
In past years, the organization has given away 1,100 free turkeys with all the trimmings to the public as part of its annual Thanksgiving turkey drive.
4. Reaching-Out Community Services’ Operation Gobbler Give
The Brooklyn-based community organization is once again providing free turkeys and Thanksgiving supplies to families in need through Operation Give a Turkey in 2023. If you want to receive one of the Thanksgiving dinners, you must participate in the meal program. If you would like to become a sponsor of this event, please call 917-509-9055. You can also make a donation directly on the organization’s website.
5. New York State of Mind (NYSoM) Food Drive
This local organization is hosting a food drive to distribute food items including turkey, pies, and canned or boxed foods to families in need. Contact [email protected] for details.
On the subject: Where to dine on Thanksgiving Day in New York: top 15 restaurants
6. West Side Campaign Against Hunger
In past years, the West Side Campaign Against Hunger has held a Healthy Foods Holiday Challenge to ensure everyone has the opportunity to eat Thanksgiving dinner with their families. This year, she’s continuing that tradition by adding pork shoulder as an option, as well as cash checks for vegetarians to purchase their holiday favorites. For more information, call 212-362-3662, Ext. 126 or email [email protected] around Thanksgiving.
7. Masbia Soup Kitchen
The organization operates as a food pantry and a daily grab-and-go lunch service. Families in need of basic food items can sign up to receive a grocery bag delivered to their door once a week. Appointments can be made through a digital line in the Plentiful app (as with dozens of other New York City food pantries). As a rule, when recording, you should pay special attention to the time (morning or evening). All items are first come, first served and the pantry may have a limited supply of whole turkeys as well as some holiday ingredients.
8. Goke Food Pantry
This year, the Goke Food Pantry plans to give away 1,000 free turkeys. This will be on Saturday 18th November from 9am on a first come, first served basis.
9. RISE Rockaway
On Saturday, November 18th, before Thanksgiving, RISE is hosting the Rockaway Thanksgiving Feast, free to the public. Registration is required. Guests will be treated to a community-style feast. Servings are limited to three per family. Local restaurants La Cevicheria and Cuisine by Claudette offer delicious Thanksgiving dishes for this community dinner.
10. DOROT’s Thanksgiving Meal Delivery
DOROT delivers homemade meals to seniors across the city during Thanksgiving week and is looking for volunteers to pick up and deliver the meals to each senior’s door and then call or visit them to share their holiday wishes. Volunteers must be over 18 years of age or families with children 10-17 years of age who agree to comply with DOROT safety rules. If you know a senior who could benefit from DOROT, call 212-769-2850.
11. Xavier Mission Thanksgiving Dinner
Although this lunch is traditionally reserved for the elderly and disabled, no one refuses to participate in the celebration. In addition to November 23, the organization will traditionally serve a second Thanksgiving Table dinner on November 26.
12. Masbia
Masbia’s emergency feeding program operates at three sites in Flatbush, Forest Hills and Borough Park. The organization provides more than 2 million meals each year. Lunch is available to the public Monday through Thursday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and Thanksgiving favorites will be served throughout the holiday week. A ready-made hot turkey dinner will be served on Thanksgiving Day and most likely the day before.
13. The Bowery Mission
The Bowery Mission is hosting its 143rd Thanksgiving dinner in 2023. Warm plates of food will be distributed to everyone in need on November 23. They are served at the historic Bowery Mission’s Chapel. Here you can sit both indoors and outdoors. A hot breakfast is served here before the traditional Thanksgiving meal.
While many of the promotions from the companies listed are dedicated to the Thanksgiving and holiday season, it’s worth noting that they provide assistance year-round.
If you’re lucky enough to have a stocked pantry and an empty wallet, consider donating to one of these exceptional organizations helping others across the city. Lend a helping hand to local Thanksgiving volunteer programs.