Free Thanksgiving dinners available in Bradenton. Where to find them or donate a meal

James A. Jones Jr.
·4 min read

With higher grocery bills, many will find it difficult to afford the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal this year.

Grocery prices are about 2.4% higher than last year, according to the latest data from the USDA. In a news release, the Salvation Army noted that any increase can create problems for local families, especially those at lower income levels.

“This year, we’ve seen the demand for help growing in our community due to stagnant wages and increasing costs for, well, everything. It’s hard to stay head when you have an ‘above-average’ income, but when you are already living paycheck to paycheck, the crunch is real,” the organization said.

To help, several Bradenton-area nonprofits are offering meals or the makings of meals, free of charge. Community donations are also welcome.

Turkey distribution

The Salvation Army will distribute free turkeys — while supplies last — starting at noon Monday, Nov. 20, at the Center for Worship, 5328 24th St. E., Bradenton.

Turkey donations will be accepted at 1204 14th St. W. until Friday, Nov. 17.

The Food Bank of Manatee

Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, 811 23rd Ave. E., Bradenton, will be having a limited contact drive-thru Thanksgiving dinner giveaway for 500 families, starting at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20.

Included are the ingredients for a family to prepare a meal at home for five to six people. No registration is required. For more information, call 941-747-4655 or visit the Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee web page.

Sara’s Place

Sara’s Place, 119 17th St. W., Palmetto, will be offering free drive-thru meals from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. On the menu: turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, drinks and dessert.

No registration is required. For more information, call 941-730-8952.

Chris Parker, one of three cooks at the Salvation Army in Bradenton, works on preparing meals and prepping turkeys for Thanksgiving in 2022.
Chris Parker, one of three cooks at the Salvation Army in Bradenton, works on preparing meals and prepping turkeys for Thanksgiving in 2022.

Salvation Army

A free Thanksgiving meal open to all in need will be served at noon on Thursday, Nov. 23, at 1204 14th St. W., Bradenton.

For more information about Thanksgiving turkeys, adopting angels, hosting a toy drive, volunteering to work with the Angel Tree program or as a bell ringer, visit https://bradenton.salvationarmyflorida.org/.

One Stop Housing

The nonprofit One Stop Cares is hosting a Thanksgiving event from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, for families struggling over the holidays.

Participants will be able to enjoy a holiday meal donated and prepared by Oysters Rock, Village Café, Sunnyside Café, Taco Spot and Cragers Café at Robins Apartment, 2303 First St., Bradenton.

Grocery bills are skyrocketing, but there will be free Thanksgiving meals available for those in need in Manatee County.
Grocery bills are skyrocketing, but there will be free Thanksgiving meals available for those in need in Manatee County.

Small gifts and personalized handwritten messages of hope and encouragement will also be distributed.

Participants will also have the opportunity to meet with representatives from several local nonprofit organizations as well as county government representatives, who will be on hand to provide guidance, support, employment opportunities and a pathway forward.

Manatee County Government is providing a tent to promote job opportunities. Other organizations will also set up booths, including Goodwill, CareerSource, Hope Pathways and Turning Points.

There will be a supervised children’s craft area to assist parents while they meet with representatives of various organizations.

Property managers from One Stop Housing will be in attendance, offering insights into applying for one of the 4,000 workforce housing apartments in the area, or one of the 1,200 units currently under development.

Tidewell Foundation

The Tidewell Foundation and local catering partners Grove, Pier 22 and Morton’s Gourmet Market are joining forces for the fourth year to provide heat-and-serve Thanksgiving meals to hospice patients and families in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.

Each donated meal will be pre-made, ready to heat and serve, and hand-delivered in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

In 2022, the Tidewell Foundation delivered 510 meals thanks to the support of its catering partners, colleagues, volunteers and donors.

Meals can be purchased directly from Grove, Pier 22 and Morton’s Gourmet Market or by making a financial donation to the Tidewell Foundation.

A donation of $32.95 will provide one heat-and-serve Thanksgiving meal for a local patient or family member at Grove and Pier 22. A donation of $27 will provide one Thanksgiving meal from Morton’s Gourmet Market.

Visit https://tidewellfoundation.org/ to donate meals or learn more about the Thanksgiving meal initiative.