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:

 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 sides

Ramsey 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 items

Anoka 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 butter

Carver 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 dinner

Scott 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