The MSR has compiled a list of free meals, food, and holiday resources that are available throughout the Twin Cities. Make sure to contact the organizations for additional details or to verify availability.
November 15
Annual Community Violence Prevention Turkey Giveaway
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Shiloh Temple, 1201 West Broadway, Mpls.
Shiloh Cares Food Shelf will once again give away free turkeys on a first-come, first-served basis. The event will feature Luana Nelson-Brown, director of the Neighborhood Safety for the City of Minneapolis, and KMOJ’s Walter “Q-Bear” Banks will provide the music.
The event will also feature free gun locks from MN OJP, free Narcan kits, and free community resources given out by government, faith-based and community violence-prevention organizations. For more info, visit Facebook.com/ShilohCaresFoodShelf, call 612-302-1463, or email shilohcaresfood@gmail.com.
November 17-18
Thanksgiving Giveaway
4–7:30 p.m. River Heights Vineyard, 6070 Cahill Ave. E., Inver Grove Heights
River Heights Vineyard’s annual Thanksgiving giveaway is open to all and offers everything you need for a Thanksgiving meal. There will also be gently used clothing available. For more info, visit bit.ly/RiverHeightsThanksgiving.
November 18
Joy Community Service Turkey Giveaway
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | 810 W. 31st St., Mpls.
Joy Community Service’s turkey giveaway is back to offer free turkeys. Recipients can receive one turkey per family (two turkeys total) on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is not needed, and everyone is welcome. For more info, visit www.joycommunityservice.org.
FOCUS Minnesota Holiday Basket Giveaway
10 – 11:30 a.m. | 550 Rice St., St. Paul
This event offers a holiday basket giveaway, including a turkey, while supplies last.
No registration is required. For more info, call 651-222-0712.
Thanksgiving Turkey Basket Drive-Thru
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | PWCC, 1301 10th Ave. North Mpls.
Phyllis Wheatley Community Center and St. Paul-Minneapolis Kappas are giving away 100 turkey dinners. Registration is required at bit.ly/PWCCTurkeyGiveaway2023.
Thanksgiving Outreach
12–3 p.m. | Life Center, 1812 Park Ave. S., Mpls.
Life Center volunteers will offer hot meals and over 200 frozen turkeys at this annual gathering, while supplies last. For more info, visit bit.ly/ThanksgivingOutreachLifeCenter.
Tru Breed 13th Annual Turkey Giveaway
1 p.m. | Folwell Park, 1615 N. Dowling Ave., Mpls.
Tru Breed & Eternal Kingz will once again serve the community with free turkeys on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. For more info, visit Facebook.com/TRUBREEDMC.
Boss Lady Shoetique 2nd Annual Turkey Giveaway
11 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Northtown Mall, 398 Northtown Dr., Blaine
Boss Lady Shoetique is hosting the second annual turkey giveaway for families in need. The event will feature live performances throughout the day, plus local vendors, light refreshments and activities for kids. For more info, visit bit.ly/BossLadyShoetiqueGiveaway.
Annunciation Church with Thanksgiving Food Drive
Due to increasing dietary needs and restrictions, organizers of Annunciation Church’s Thanksgiving Food Drive will deliver Cub Foods gift cards to recipients in need, while supplies last. If you know of any individuals or families who would appreciate some help for Thanksgiving, email Jimmy Dunn at jdunn@annunciationmsp.org. For more info, visit www.annunciationmsp.org.
November 19
FOCUS Minnesota Hot Thanksgiving Meal To-Go
5 – 6:30 p.m. | 550 Rice St., St. Paul
Get a meal to-go while supplies last. No registration is required.
For more info, visit focusmn.org/programs or call 651-222-0712.
November 21
Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities Thanksgiving Food Distribution
9 a.m. | Union Gospel Mission, Men’s Campus, 435 University Ave. E., St. Paul
Registration for Union Gospel Mission’s Thanksgiving grocery bag and turkey giveaway on Nov. 20 is full. But this year organizers will be hosting a second day of giving. People who were unable to register can stop by and pick up any leftovers from no-shows the day before, while supplies last. For more info, visit secure.qgiv.com/for/thanks20.
M Health Fairview – Harvest at the Hub
3 – 7 p.m. | 45 W. 10th St., St. Paul
Enjoy a food giveaway with turkey, a resource fair, and a vaccine clinic.
Registration is strongly encouraged. Register at tinyurl.com/HarvestHub.
November 22
Loaves & Fishes Thanksgiving Meal To-Go
5 – 6 p.m. | St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 510 Hall Ave., St. Paul
For more info, call 612-377-9810 or visit loavesandfishesmn.org.
November 23
Daily Work and Shobi’s Table Gratitude Feast
12 – 2 p.m. | 105 University Ave. W., St. Paul
Alone for the holiday? This meal offers a free Thanksgiving meal.
Pre-register at @Gratitude Feast on Facebook or email Kari at director@shobistable.org.
7th Annual Community Thanksgiving Meal
12-3 p.m. | Fellowship Church, 707 Commerce Dr., Woodbury
If you’re without a place to go for Thanksgiving, Fellowship Church welcomes you to attend this event for an afternoon of free food, fellowship and fun. This meal is open to anyone who doesn’t want to spend the holiday alone. For more, visit bit.ly/ThanksgivingFellowship2023.
Thanksgiving Community Dinner
1:30-4:30 p.m. | Faith Deliverance Holiness Church, 1119 Morgan Ave. N., Mpls.
Start ANew, Faith Deliverance Holiness Church, Minnehaha Temple #129, and Resource, Justice & Management have joined forces to host a Thanksgiving dinner for the community. All are welcome to attend. To find more info, visit StartAnewMN.org or call 612-389-0008.
Thanksgiving Service & Fellowship
2-5 p.m. Dinner | The Purpose Church, 3001 Russell Ave., N., Mpls
For more info, visit thepurposechurchlive.com.
Thanksgiving for All Project
Mounds View residents in need of a Thanksgiving bag, including a turkey or gift card, should call Ralph Reeder Food at 651-621-6280 to set up an appointment in the month of November. Mounds View families can also register children up to age 12 for toys and gifts by going to www.operationjoymn.org. Registration for toys ends Dec. 4.
Other resources:
Discounted Groceries
Fare For All
$35 Thanksgiving Holiday Packs
No registration is required For more info, visit thefoodgroupmn.org/groceries/pack or call 763-450-3860.
Available at the following locations:
- Redeeming Love Church
2425 White Bear Ave. N., Maplewood
Nov. 13, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. - Real Life Church
2353 N. Chatsworth St., Roseville
Nov. 14, 3 – 5 p.m. - Central Square Community Center
100 7th Ave. N., South St. Paul
Nov. 21, 4 – 6 p.m. - Community of Grace
4000 Linden St., White Bear Lake
Nov. 10, 1 – 3 p.m.
Salvation Army Centers
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
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