Free meals, food distributions, and support services across the state
As families across Minnesota prepare for the holiday season, many organizations are stepping up to ensure everyone has access to warm meals, groceries, and community support. The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder has compiled a statewide list of Thanksgiving resources, including free holiday dinners, food shelves, and assistance programs available to make this upcoming holiday a memorable one. This guide will be updated online as more information becomes available.
Twin Cities Metro
1. Union Gospel Mission: Free Thanksgiving dinner & meal boxes
Location: 435 University Ave E, St. Paul
Date: Thanksgiving Day meal served from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Meal boxes: Distributed the week prior while supplies last
Notes: No ID required
2. Salvation Army Twin Cities: Holiday meals & food shelf support
Multiple metro locations
Free turkey meals and groceries available at select sites
Visit Salvation Army Northern Division website for site-specific dates
3. NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center: Thanksgiving food distribution
Date: Typically the week before Thanksgiving
Location: 1256 Penn Ave N
What’s offered: Turkeys, produce, canned items
Notes: Registration encouraged
4. Loaves & Fishes: Community dinner
Daily free meals at churches, community centers, and shelters statewide
Thanksgiving week meals include holiday entrées
5. Minneapolis Recreation Centers: Community holiday meals
Several rec centers host free dinners and family events the week of Thanksgiving
Check park-based schedules on the MPRB website
Greater Minnesota: North & Central
1. Second Harvest North Central Food Bank: Thanksgiving food boxes
Service area: Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Mille Lacs counties
Various pop-up distributions
2. Chum: Community Thanksgiving dinner
Date: Thanksgiving Day, noon–2 p.m.
Location: First Presbyterian Church, 300 E 2nd St
Notes: Free and open to all; rides available
3. Salvation Army: Holiday meal distribution
Date: Typically the Tuesday before Thanksgiving
Location: 20 First Ave NE
Includes: Turkey, sides, dessert kits
4. Community Table: Free Thanksgiving dinner
Location: 320 Putnam St in Eau Claire
Open to all, no proof of residency required
Greater Minnesota: South & Southwest
1. Channel One Regional Food Bank: Holiday food distribution
Counties served: Dodge, Fillmore, Olmsted, Wabasha, Winona
Distributions throughout November
2. Mankato Salvation Army: Thanksgiving dinner & grocery kits
Dinner: Served the Wednesday before Thanksgiving
Grocery kits available earlier in the week
3. Second Harvest Heartland Mobile Distributions: Statewide
Mobile truck sites in southern and western Minnesota
Free groceries including produce, proteins, and Thanksgiving staples
4. United Community Action Partnership: Holiday boxes
Service area: Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Redwood, Renville
Boxes distributed through local drop sites
Holiday warm meals & shelter resources
1. Dorothy Day Center – St. Paul
Warm meals served daily including holiday week
Shelter and expanded bed availability
2. Catholic Charities Housing Stability Programs
Emergency shelter, meals, outreach statewide
3. Minnesota 211 (United Way): Statewide Hotline
Dial: 2-1-1
Closest Thanksgiving meal or food shelf
Housing support, shelters, transportation
Tribal Nation Resources
1. Red Lake Nation Food Distribution Program
Holiday food packages available
2. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Community dinners and food shelf distributions
3. White Earth Nation Food Pantry
Holiday meal boxes for enrolled members
How to help
Donate food, volunteer, give money, check on neighbors.