As Thanksgiving approaches, many organizations across the Twin Cities are stepping up to ensure everyone has access to a warm holiday meal.
For those in need, several community resources are offering free Thanksgiving meals and baskets across Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Carver, and Scott counties. From meal services to take-home baskets filled with holiday essentials, these programs are here to lend a helping hand this season.
Read on to find out where you or a loved one can receive support this Thanksgiving.
This Thanksgiving, former University of Minnesota Men’s Basketball standout Willie Burton is proving that greatness extends beyond the court with his inaugural All-Star Giveback, an initiative dedicated to providing 1,000 holiday meals to families in need.
Scheduled for Saturday, November 23, 2024, the event will take place at four pivotal locations across Minneapolis and St. Paul:
Hennepin County
Families who need food assistance this holiday can also contact the nearest Salvation Army service center for more distribution information:
Brooklyn Park Salvation Army, 10011 Noble Parkway, 763-425-0517
Maplewood Salvation Army, 2080 Woodlynn Ave., 651-779-9177
North Minneapolis Salvation Army, 2024 Lyndale Ave. N., 612-522-4871
Northeast Minneapolis Salvation Army, 2727 Central Ave. NE, 612-789-2858
South Minneapolis Salvation Army, 1604 E. Lake St., 612-721-1513
St. Paul Eastside Salvation Army, 1019 Payne Ave., 651-776-8169
St. Paul West 7th Salvation Army, 401 W. 7th St., 651-224-4316
Anoka County Service Office, 1201 89th Ave. NE, #130, Blaine, 763-755-6873
Dakota County Service Office, 13801 Fairview Dr., Burnsville, 952-767-3901
Thanks to the generosity of Hormel Foods and JENNIE-O® Turkey Store, The Salvation Army will be distributing turkeys and more to families in northeast Minneapolis on Friday, November 22 at 2:30 PM.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and WNBA Hall of Famer Lindsay Whalen will be on hand to help volunteers distribute more than 300 turkeys—the first of 2,500 turkeys being donated by Hormel this holiday season. Media is invited to join them for the distribution.
The distribution is scheduled for Friday, November 22 at 2:30 to 3:30 PM at the northeast Minneapolis Salvation Army service center, located at 2727 Central Avenue NE. Additional turkey distributions will take place at other Salvation Army locations around the Twin Cities in time for Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Meals
Programs that provide a hot Thanksgiving meal in a group setting for low-income and homeless individuals and families who might otherwise have no opportunity to celebrate the holiday. Also included are programs that deliver Thanksgiving meals to people’s homes.
Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway
When: Nov. 23, 10 a.m.-noon
Where: 810 W. 31st St., Minneapolis
Info: This annual free drive-through giveaway is back, offering turkeys to families on a first-come, first-served basis, with no registration required.
Life Center Thanksgiving Outreach
When: Nov. 23, Noon
Where: 1812 Park Ave., Minneapolis
Info: Life Center’s annual Thanksgiving outreach event provides community members with a hot Thanksgiving meal and over 200 frozen turkeys.
Brooklyn United Methodist Church (Loaves and Fishes)
7200 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Center 55429
When:12 noon- 1 pm Wednesday, November 27, 2024 (Frist come first serve)
Serves: Residents of Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center
Description: Free, hot meals to-go containers served curbside outside the single door facing the east side of the parking lot
Hopkins Police Thanksgiving Meal Nominations
Address: Driskills Downtown Market 25 11th Avenue North Hopkins, MN 55343
Phone: (952)548-6407
Serves: Residents of Hopkins
Registration: Now – 6 am November 18th or until nominations are full
Intake: Register online; call if you are unable to submit a nomination online
Fee: None
Distribution: Meals delivered by the Hopkins Police in the afternoon/evening on Wednesday, November 27th, 2024 or pick-up Driskills Downtown Market
Description: Nominate (register online) you, your family, a friend, or a neighbor who is in need of a Thanksgiving meal. Each meal comes with turkey or ham, sides, and dessert.
Westonka Food Shelf/American Legion Post 398/MWHS DECA – Thanksgiving Dinner
Address: 2443 Commerce Blvd. Mound, MN 55364
Phone: (952)472-5599
Serves: Residents of Western Hennepin County
Registration: Call to register
Distribution: 12 noon – 4 pm Thursday, November 28
Description: Free community Thanksgiving dinner
Thanksgiving Baskets
Programs that distribute food baskets which usually contain a ham, turkey or other meat and all the trimmings for a Thanksgiving dinner (or vouchers to purchase these items).
Friendship Community Services- Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
Address: 2600 East 38th Street, Minneapolis MN 55406
Phone: (612)327-8753; Deaconess Shirley Gardner
Website: https://www.friendshipcommunityservices.org/
Serves: Residents of Hennepin County
Registration: October 31 – November 15; call to register or visit website to scan QR code
Description: Provides groceries for a Thanksgiving meal; supplies limited
ICA Food Shelf
Address: 11588 K-Tel Drive, Minnetonka 55343
Phone: (952)938-0729
Serves: Residents of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Shorewood, and Woodland
Registration: Call to register; accepts new and existing clients living in the service area
Description: Turkeys will be available during regular food appointments before Thanksgiving and while supplies last; one turkey per household. Must be registered to receive a turkey during food shelf appointment.
ICCM Life Center – Thanksgiving Outreach
Address: 1812 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Serves: Residents of Hennepin County
Intake: Walk in
Fees: None
Distribution: 12 noon – 3 pm Saturday, November 23rd; while supplies last
Description: First 200 people will receive a turkey; hot thanksgiving meal available to the community
NEAR – North Suburban Emergency Assistance Response
5209 West Broadway Avenue, Crystal 55429
(763)533-2836
Serves: Residents of Crystal, New Hope, and Robbinsdale
Registration: Call for an appointment 9 am – 12 noon Monday – Friday; scheduled appointments are 1 pm – 4 pm Monday – Friday
Distribution: During the month of November and availability of food items will vary
Description: One-time holiday food items in addition to regular bi-monthly food shelf appointment
Minnesota Acts Now – Thanksgiving Basket
Address: 7608 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Park 55443 (Village Creek Police Department)
Serves: Residents of Brooklyn Park
Distribution: 5 pm – 7 pm November 24, 2024; no registration; first come, first serve
Description: Turkey basket giveaway
Westonka Food Shelf – Thanksgiving Basket
Address: 2411 Commerce Blvd, Mound, MN 55364
Serves: Residents of Mound
Intake: Walk in
Distribution: 10 am – 12 noon Saturday, November 23
Description: Thanksgiving basket sidesRamsey County
Turkey Giveaway & Fan Zone
Those in need can pick up a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. Guests also have the opportunity to meet Minnesota Wild players and participate in games.
(1-4 p.m. Fri, November 15, Aldrich Arena, 1850 N. White Bear Av., Maplewood, visitstpaul.com)
Thanksgiving Baskets
Programs that distribute food baskets which usually contain a ham, turkey or other meat and all the trimmings for a Thanksgiving dinner (or vouchers to purchase these items).
White Bear Area Food Shelf – Give a Gobble
Address: 1884 Whitaker St, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Website: https://whitebearfoodshelf.org/2024/10/give-a-gobble-annual-thanksgiving-distribution-2/
Serves: Residents of Ramsey County
Registration: November 11th – until full
Intake: Register online
Documents: Proof of registration required at distribution
Fees: No fee
Distribution: 1 pm – 7 pm Monday, November 25th; 11 am – 5 pm Tuesday, November 26th
Description: Thanksgiving food basket
Thanksgiving Meals
Programs that provide a hot Thanksgiving meal in a group setting for low-income and homeless individuals and families who might otherwise have no opportunity to celebrate the holiday. Also included are programs that deliver Thanksgiving meals to people’s homes.
Loaves & Fishes Community Meals
When: Nov. 27 (times listed below)
Where: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (to-go meal), 5:30-6:30 p.m., 1390 Larpenteur Ave. E., St. Paul; St. Paul Opportunity Center (to-go meal), 4:30-5:15 p.m., 422 Dorothy Day Place, St. Paul; True Foundation Church (dine-in and to-go meal), 5:30-6:30 p.m., 5840 Lilac Dr. N., Brooklyn Center
Info: Loaves & Fishes will provide a free Thanksgiving meal to those in need, ensuring everyone can enjoy a warm holiday meal, regardless of their circumstances.
FOCUS Minnesota Thanksgiving Dinner
When: Nov. 24, 5-6:30 p.m.
Where: 550 Rice St., St. Paul
Info: Community members are invited to enjoy a dine-in or takeout Thanksgiving dinner. Volunteers are also needed to help provide turkey, mashed potatoes, salad, rolls, and pie. All are welcome!
Franciscan Brothers of Peace – Thanksgiving Food Resource
Address: 1289 Lafond Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104
Phone: (651)368-6416
Serves: Residents of Saint Paul
Eligibility: Open to all individuals and families needing extra food in the Saint Paul area
Registration: Call starting at 9 am on 11/18/2024 – 11/20/2024 to register
Intake: Same-day appointments; call to register starting at 9 am; do not leave a message, individuals should keep calling until they speak to a staff member
Documents: None required
Description: Food Shelf provides additional Thanksgiving-related food itemsAnoka County
Thanksgiving Baskets
Programs that distribute food baskets which usually contain a ham, turkey or other meat and all the trimmings for a Thanksgiving dinner (or vouchers to purchase these items).
Anoka County Brotherhood Council – ACBC Thanksgiving Food Distribution
Address: 2615 9th Avenue North Anoka, MN 55303
Phone: (763) 422-0046 ext. 3
Serves: Clients of the food shelf who are residents in the cities of Anoka, Andover, Champlin, Coon Rapids, Nowthen, and Ramsey
Intake: Must be a client of the food shelf. Call to register as a client for a food shelf appointment. Current clients must visit the website to login and register online for an appointment. Once an appointment is set, clients will receive an email confirmation and reminder. If appointments are missed, there will be no opportunity to reschedule. Individuals can cancel appointments so others can participate in the program.
Distribution: Will be provided to clients once an appointment has been set
Description: Provides a food basket which consists of a turkey, potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetables, and more to prepare for a Thanksgiving meal
Centennial Community Food Shelf – Thanksgiving Basket
Address: 200 Civic Heights Circle, Circle Pines, MN 55014
Phone: (763) 784-2013
Serves: Current clients of the food shelf who are residents of Blaine, Centerville, Circle Pines, Columbus, Lexington, and Lino Lakes in southeast Anoka County
Eligibility: Clients must have utilized the food shelf within the last four to five weeks and filled out a form. Clients must bring the ticket they received when they registered for a holiday food basket.
Intake: Walk into the food shelf to fill out a form and bring the ticket they were provided at the time of registration for pick-up. Call for information.
Registration: 4 pm – 6 pm Monday and Thursday starting Monday, October 28 and until full
Distribution: 10 am – 12 noon Saturday, November 23
Description: A holiday basket of food to prepare which consists of a turkey or ham, vegetables, potatoes, dessert, rolls, and butterCarver County
Thanksgiving Baskets
Programs that distribute food baskets which usually contain a ham, turkey, or other meat and all the trimmings for a Thanksgiving dinner (or vouchers to purchase these items).
Love INC of Carver County
Phone: (952) 448-3261
Serves: Residents of Carver County
Registration: Pre-registration is required. Residents who live in the cities of Chaska, Carver, Chanhassen, and Victoria should register for the Eastern Carver County Form. Residents west of Chaska in the cities of Cologne, New Germany, Hamburg, Norwood Young America, Mayer Waconia, and Watertown should register for the Western Carver County Form. Registration timeline is October 14 – November 14.
Intake: Call to sign up for a food basket to be delivered. Visit website to register the Eastern Carver County or Western Carver County Form.
Distribution: Food baskets are delivered to the homes of those who sign up between 9 am – 12 noon Saturday, November 23, 2024. Households that sign up must be at home to receive food items when delivery is made.
Description: Delivers a frozen turkey and fixings for families to make a Thanksgiving dinnerScott County
Thanksgiving Meals
Programs that provide a hot Thanksgiving meal in a group setting for low income and homeless individuals and families who might otherwise have no opportunity to celebrate the holiday. Also included are programs that deliver Thanksgiving meals to people’s homes.
Holy Trinity Church – Community Thanksgiving Meal
Address: 1300 Main Street East New Prague, MN 56071
Phone: (952) 758-3513
Serves: Residents of Le Sueur and Scott County
Intake: Call to reserve a Thanksgiving meal between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Thursday and 8:30 am – 12 noon Friday
Distribution: 11 am – 1 pm Thursday, November 28, 2024 in the Fellowship Hall
Description: Provides a Thanksgiving meal for those in need
Thanksgiving Baskets
Programs that distribute food baskets which usually contain a ham, turkey or other meat and all the trimmings for a Thanksgiving dinner (or vouchers to purchase these items).
Belle Plaine Area Food Shelf – Thanksgiving Box
Address: 128 North Meridian Street – Belle Plaine, MN 56011
Phone: (612) 751-9923
Serves: Residents of Belle Plaine
Eligibility: Families with 3 or more dependent children in the household and are clients of the food shelf
Intake: Walk into Belle Plaine Area Food Shelf between 5 pm – 7 pm Wednesday or 9 am – 11 am Saturday
Registration: Starts Friday, November 8 – Wednesday, November 20
Distribution: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm and 5 pm – 6 pm Monday, November 25, 2024
Description: Provide a Thanksgiving food box which includes a turkey or ham and other food items to prepare a Thanksgiving meal
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