Free Thanksgiving Meals and Turkey Giveaways in the Twin Cities and Across Minnesota (2026)

Thanksgiving is about gathering around the table, and no family in Minnesota should have to sit this holiday out because money is tight. Food costs keep climbing, and more households than ever are stretching every grocery dollar. The good news: Churches, community centers, food shelves and local businesses across Minneapolis, St. Paul, the suburbs and Greater Minnesota are stepping up again this year with free turkeys, holiday food baskets and community meals.

We pulled together the programs we could find, with dates, locations and links to sign up. Many require advance registration, and some fill up fast, so if you see one that fits your family, sign up today. Details can change, so always check the organizer’s page before you head out.

Twin Cities All-Star Giveback at Sabathani

Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St., Minneapolis

Thanks to the generosity of Jennie-O, former Gopher and NBA player Willie Burton & Friends, and community partners, Sabathani is helping local families celebrate Thanksgiving with a free turkey giveaway.

Here is how the day works:

• 10 a.m. to noon, reserved pickup: Families who registered in advance pick up their turkeys.
• Noon to 1 p.m., community distribution: Any turkeys left over go to the community first come, first served, while supplies last.

Pickup happens in the Sabathani parking lot, and volunteers will guide both drivers and walk-up guests. It is one turkey per family, and quantities are limited.

Advance registration is encouraged. Register for the Twin Cities All-Star Giveback on Sabathani’s event page.

Questions? Contact Cheryl at fr.reception@sabathani.org or 612-821-2396.

Sabathani also runs a year-round food shelf, with appointments recommended and walk-ins welcome.

Twin Cities Metro: Thanksgiving Baskets and Turkey Giveaways

These programs send families home with a turkey, a grocery bag or a full holiday food basket to cook at home. Many limit help to certain ZIP codes or cities, so check the eligibility before you sign up.

Minneapolis

Community Covenant Church (North Minneapolis) 901 Humboldt Ave. N., Minneapolis | 612-374-3935 Thanksgiving food baskets for families living in the 55411 and 55412 ZIP codes. Call the church to register after Nov. 1.

Minneapolis PAL and Fellowship Church Thanksgiving Basket Drive Distribution Saturday, Nov. 21 Free Thanksgiving food baskets for local families. Register by Friday, Nov. 13, by texting your name, address, phone number and household size to 612-564-2240.

Joy Community Service Thanksgiving turkey giveaway on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, first come, first served. Open to everyone at no cost.

Jericho Road Ministries (Elliot Park and Powderhorn) Thanksgiving baskets from two Minneapolis sites: Bethesda Church, 1118 Eighth St. S., and Jubilee Church, 1628 E. 33rd St. Call 612-455-1193 for sign-up details.

Division of Indian Work, Fall Feast Basket Giveaway Thursday and Friday, Nov. 12 and 13, noon to 3 p.m. 1001 E. Lake St., Minneapolis | 612-722-8722 Holiday food baskets for American Indian families. Nov. 12 is for elders, and Nov. 13 is for adults 54 and younger. Sign up by noon Wednesday, Nov. 11, by calling the food shelf or stopping by during food shelf hours to get on the list. One basket per household, and bring an ID at pickup. The food shelf is closed Thanksgiving week, Nov. 23 to 27.

Red Lake Nation Embassy Elders Thanksgiving Giveaway Thursday and Friday, Nov. 19 and 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 2111 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis A Thanksgiving giveaway for elders. Contact the Red Lake Nation Embassy for eligibility details.

St. Paul

The Sanneh Foundation, Conway Community Center 2090 Conway St., St. Paul | 651-501-6343 Free Thanksgiving food for Twin Cities metro families. Call for details on how to sign up.

Suburbs

St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP) 6812 W. Lake St., St. Louis Park | 952-925-4899 Holiday food for St. Louis Park residents through food shelf appointments in November. Book a food shelf appointment to get your Thanksgiving food.

NEAR Food Shelf (Crystal, New Hope, Robbinsdale) 5209 W. Broadway Ave., Crystal | 763-533-2836 Thanksgiving food items for current food shelf clients in Crystal, New Hope and Robbinsdale.

White Bear Area Food Shelf, Give a Gobble 1884 Whitaker St., White Bear Lake | 651-407-5310 A turkey and all the essentials for Thanksgiving for households in the White Bear Lake Area School District. Registration is required.

River Heights Vineyard Church 6070 Cahill Ave., Inver Grove Heights | 651-457-7644 Thanksgiving food baskets for Inver Grove Heights residents, plus a meal and free clothing. Come in to get a registration number to use on distribution day.

Community Helping Hand 408 15th St. S.W., Forest Lake | 651-464-0061 Thanksgiving baskets for the Forest Lake area. Visit Community Helping Hand for sign-up details.

The Open Door Food Pantry, with St. John Neumann Catholic Church (Eagan) 651-686-0787 The St. John Neumann community is assembling up to 200 Thanksgiving baskets, each with nonperishable food, special treats and a $25 grocery card for fresh items. All baskets go to The Open Door, which distributes them to its clients. St. John Neumann does not give baskets to individuals, so contact The Open Door directly to ask about receiving one.

NACE Food Shelf (North Anoka County) 18511 Highway 65 N.E., East Bethel | 763-434-7685 Holiday meal packs at Thanksgiving for residents of Bethel, Cedar, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Linwood Township, Oak Grove, St. Francis, Stacy and Wyoming. Call for sign-up details.

Twin Cities Metro: Free Community Thanksgiving Meals

If you would rather sit down to a hot plate and good company, these churches and nonprofits are serving free Thanksgiving meals. Most are open to everyone.

Before Thanksgiving Day

Nourish Friendsgiving, Living Naturally Abundant Friday, Nov. 13, starting at 5:30 p.m. 3104 16th Ave. S., Minneapolis A free plant-based Friendsgiving dinner for all ages. Register on Eventbrite.

The Salvation Army Brooklyn Park with The Strength of a Woman Circle Thursday, Nov. 19, 3 to 6 p.m. 10011 Noble Parkway N., Brooklyn Park A free community meal for Brooklyn Park families and neighbors experiencing homelessness, plus donated hygiene items, school supplies and clothing while supplies last.

ICCM Life Center Thanksgiving Outreach Saturday, Nov. 21, starting at noon 1812 Park Ave. S., Minneapolis | 612-870-0000 A hot Thanksgiving meal, children’s programming and a giveaway of 200 frozen turkeys. No registration needed. Turkeys are first come, first served, so arrive early.

FOCUS Minnesota Thanksgiving Dinner 550 Rice St., St. Paul | 651-222-0712 FOCUS serves a dine-in or takeout Thanksgiving dinner on the Sunday evening before Thanksgiving, which falls on Nov. 22 this year. In past years it has run 5 to 6:30 p.m. with no registration needed. Call to confirm this year’s time.

Hamline Midway Elders Thanksgiving Luncheon Tuesday, Nov. 24, 11:30 a.m. Hamline Church United Methodist, 1514 Englewood Ave., St. Paul | 651-209-6542 A Thanksgiving luncheon for older adults living in the Hamline Midway Elders service area. Call with questions or to ask about a ride.

Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26

Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Men’s Campus, 435 University Ave. E., St. Paul An annual community dinner open to anyone who needs a Thanksgiving meal.

Church of the Ascension Thanksgiving morning 1723 N. Bryant Ave., Minneapolis | Parish office: 612-529-9684 Free hot, ready-to-eat Thanksgiving meals for families, pickup only, no delivery. Sign up in advance by emailing your name and household size to minnesotablessingsthanksgiving@gmail.com, or call the parish office.

StartAnew Thanksgiving Community Dinner 1:45 to 4:45 p.m. Faith Deliverance Holiness Church, 1119 Morgan Ave. N., Minneapolis | 612-389-0008 A free dinner in North Minneapolis, open to everyone. Walk-ins welcome.

Tea Time’s Transgiving Noon to 10 p.m. The Aliveness Project, 3808 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis Food, games and community for trans and gender-diverse people and their families. Walk-ins are welcome. RSVP through Tea Time’s contact form with your party size.

Fellowship Church Noon to 3 p.m. 707 Commerce Drive, Suite 220, Woodbury The church’s 10th annual Community Thanksgiving Meal, free and open to the public. Registration is preferred but not required.

The Family Table at Glory Church Noon to 3 p.m. 44 St. Croix Trail S., Suite 250, Lakeland A free dinner open to the public across the St. Croix River Valley. RSVP through the church.

Faith Lutheran Church 11115 Hanson Blvd. N.W., Coon Rapids | 763-354-7826 A free neighborhood Thanksgiving meal. Check the church’s page for serving hours and any reservation requirement.

Westonka Community Food Shelf and Mound American Legion Mound | 952-472-5599 A free community meal on Thanksgiving for the Westonka area. Call for times.

Dates Coming Soon

These groups offer Thanksgiving meals each year but had not posted 2026 details when we published. Call or check their pages for times.

Pillsbury United Communities, Waite House Phillips neighborhood, Minneapolis | 612-721-1681 A free Thanksgiving meal for the Phillips community.

Resurrection United Methodist Church 615 15th St. W., Hastings | 651-437-4398 A Thanksgiving meal for the Hastings community.

The Salvation Army Twin Cities The Salvation Army usually serves free Thanksgiving meals at several metro locations, including Harbor Light Center in downtown Minneapolis, Parkview in North Minneapolis and Eastside in St. Paul, and hands out turkey boxes at service centers across the Twin Cities. Contact your nearest Salvation Army service center for this year’s dates.

Friendship Community Services, Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 2600 E. 38th St., Minneapolis | 612-327-8753 Thanksgiving groceries for Hennepin County residents, with registration required in past years. Call to ask about sign-up.

Phyllis Wheatley Community Center 1301 10th Ave. N., Minneapolis A Thanksgiving turkey dinner giveaway with the St. Paul-Minneapolis Kappas. Registration has been required in past years.

Hallie Q. Brown Community Center 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul A Thanksgiving drive through the Hallie Q. Brown food shelf.

Marie Sandvik Center 1112 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis A Thanksgiving Day meal for the community.

Shiloh Cares Food Shelf 612-302-1463 A one-day turkey giveaway, one turkey per family.

Community Emergency Service (CES), Minneapolis A holiday distribution of turkeys and Thanksgiving staples through the food shelf.

Greater Minnesota

Help is out there beyond the metro, too. Many of these programs serve only their own town or county, so call ahead to confirm you qualify.

Baskets and Turkey Giveaways

Big Lake Community Food Shelf 160 Lake St. N., Big Lake | 763-263-2432 Holiday Meal Bags filled with traditional Thanksgiving items, plus vouchers for meat, dairy and produce, for the Big Lake area.

Bridges of Hope (Brainerd lakes area) 218-825-7682 The Thanksgiving Basket Program matches families with local sponsors who shop for and deliver a complete Thanksgiving meal. To apply, contact your school collaborative or referring worker.

Community Partners of Faribault County, Bricelyn Food Pantry 311 N. Main St., Bricelyn Thanksgiving baskets for the area.

Grant County Emergency Food Shelf (Elbow Lake and Hoffman) 1311 Highway 79 E., Elbow Lake | 218-685-4176 Hoffman Kensington Area Food Shelf, 100 Third St. N., Hoffman | 701-640-9806 Thanksgiving baskets for Grant County.

Hayfield Community Food Pantry, Cedar Creek Church 30 E. Main St., Hayfield | 507-477-2255 Thanksgiving baskets for the Hayfield area.

Lakes and Prairies Community Action Partnership, REACH 421 Fifth St., Hawley | 218-483-3145 Thanksgiving baskets for Clay County area families.

LifeGate Services (Rochester) 1300 10th Ave. N.E., Rochester | 507-206-3174 A first come, first served turkey giveaway, held the Saturday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 21) from 10 a.m. to noon in past years.

Monticello Help Center 224 W. Third St., Monticello | 763-295-4031 Free drive-up Thanksgiving baskets with fresh and nonperishable items, given out the Saturday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 21) and open to the whole community.

The Link (New London) 20 Central Ave. E., New London | 320-354-5555 Thanksgiving baskets for the New London area.

The Salvation Army, Willmar 521 Fourth St. S.W., Willmar | 320-235-2033 Thanksgiving baskets for the Willmar area.

Waseca Area Neighborhood Service Center 203 Third Ave. N.W., Waseca | 507-833-4119, ext. 1 Thanksgiving baskets through its Holiday Food Program for Waseca County residents.

Community Meals

Grace Place Community Thanksgiving Meal (Montrose) Thursday, Nov. 19, doors at 4:30 p.m., dinner 5 to 6:30 p.m. Montrose Community Center, 200 Center Ave. S. A free traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone is welcome.

Faith Feeds (St. Cloud area) Faith Feeds serves free meals to people in need in St. Cloud and the surrounding communities, and plans to provide 3,000 meals this Thanksgiving. Request a meal through Faith Feeds’ website.

Hope Community, Buffalo Community Thanksgiving Meal Thanksgiving Day, doors open at noon, meal at 12:30 p.m. 206 Second Ave. N.E., Buffalo Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, yams, green bean casserole, rolls and pie, served while food lasts.

The College of St. Scholastica Thanksgiving Day Buffet (Duluth) Thanksgiving Day, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. DECC Lake Superior Ballroom, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth A free dinner for everyone, with free parking. Homebound people in Duluth, Superior, Proctor, Hermantown, Esko, Cloquet and Two Harbors can request delivery by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20.

Grace Life Church Thanksgiving Community Meal (Marshall) Thanksgiving Day, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 601 E. College Drive, Marshall A free community meal. Homebound guests can request delivery by calling 507-706-8526 before 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Laura Baker Services Association Community Thanksgiving Dinner (Northfield) Thanksgiving Day, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 211 Oak St., Northfield | 507-645-8866 Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and dessert for Northfield individuals and families. Homebound Northfield residents can register for delivery by Friday, Nov. 20.

The Salvation Army Thanksgiving Meal (Rochester) Thanksgiving Day, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 115 First Ave. N.E., Rochester Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and pie. Everyone is welcome, and no registration is needed.

Osprey Wilds Turkey Feast To Go (Sandstone) Thanksgiving Day, curbside pickup 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 54165 Audubon Drive, Sandstone Free take-home meals with turkey, mashed potatoes, two sides and dessert. Meals must be ordered in advance. A $15 donation per meal is optional.

The Salvation Army, Fergus Falls 622 E. Vernon Ave., Fergus Falls | 218-739-9692 A Thanksgiving meal for the community. Call for this year’s time.

Ivanhoe, Hendricks, Arco Area Food Shelf 401 N. Harold St., Ivanhoe | 507-694-1665 A Thanksgiving meal for the area. Call for details.

Brainerd American Legion Community Thanksgiving Dinner 708 Front St., Brainerd In past years, the Legion has delivered free Thanksgiving dinners with help from local first responders and offered pickup at the post. Watch for 2026 details.

More Help This Season and Beyond

If none of the programs above fit, or they fill up before you can sign up, these resources can point you to food help close to home.

Minnesota Food HelpLine: 1-888-711-1151 Run by Hunger Solutions Minnesota, the HelpLine assesses your situation over the phone and connects you to food shelves, free meals, SNAP (food stamps), Fare For All and more. Staff can also help you apply for SNAP. Lines are open weekdays.

United Way 211: dial 2-1-1 Call 211, or text your ZIP code to 898-211, to reach a specialist who tracks holiday food, gift and toy programs near you.

The Food Group Find Food Map Search the map to find partner food shelves and pantries near you across the metro and Minnesota.

Fare For All Holiday Packs If you can spend a little, Fare For All sells discounted holiday packs in November and December with a turkey or ham, protein and vegetable sides and a dessert. There are no income limits or registration, and it accepts cash, credit, debit and EBT. Find a Fare For All location online.

Minnesota’s Full Thanksgiving Program Directory The state’s Aging and Disability Resources directory lists Thanksgiving basket and meal programs across Minnesota, including ones outside the metro.

Your Neighborhood Food Shelf Many food shelves add a turkey or holiday items to regular November visits, so if you already use one, ask about Thanksgiving when you book your next appointment.

Tips Before You Go

• Register early. Spots are limited, and some programs fill up weeks ahead.
• Check eligibility. Several programs serve only certain cities, ZIP codes or school districts, or only current food shelf clients.
• Bring your ticket and ID. Some events require a printed or phone copy of your registration, and some ask for a photo ID at pickup.
• Plan for leftover lines. Programs that fill up often hand out remaining food first come, first served at the end of the day. Arrive early and dress for Minnesota weather.
• Call ahead. Dates, hours and supplies can change. A quick call or a check of the organizer’s website before you leave can save you a trip.

Know of a Thanksgiving giveaway or community meal we missed? Let us know so we can share it with our readers.

Sources

• Sabathani Community Center, Twin Cities All-Star Giveback
• Minnesota Aging and Disability Resources, Thanksgiving Programs
• Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, Thanksgiving at the Mission 2026
• Give Me The Mike, Free Thanksgiving Dinners in Minnesota in 2026