Where to find free Thanksgiving meals this year and ways to give back
With a rise in food insecurity and inflation in the U.S., this Thanksgiving season is expected to leave many families' tables bare, with no traditional turkey and stuffing.
Valley-based organizations and food banks are working hard to allow for every household to have a full Thanksgiving meal this year.
"We know that we are going to see a lot more folks than in years past because we're seeing 7,000 families a week coming to our food bank locations during a normal week which is more than we've ever seen in our history," Jerry Brown with St. Mary's Food Bank said.
Through The Arizona Republic's Season for Sharing campaign, last year, donors gave $1.8 million for 164 nonprofits statewide, including St. Mary's Food Bank, which received $30,000. Year round, St. Mary's procures and provides the food for 280,000 meals to benefit the health and well-being of low-income, food-insecure hungry children and adults.
With an unprecedented amount of people in need of meals this year comes a mass need for those providing them. Every organization mentioned is looking for more volunteers and donations this holiday season, and they ask that everyone who is food secure considers giving back to those less fortunate.
Here is where to find Thanksgiving meals this week:
St. Mary's Food Bank
When: Nov. 23 (Wednesday)
Time: Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: 3131 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017 and 13050 W. Elm St., Surprise, AZ 85378
Requirements: Must bring a form of ID (state/foreign ID/passport). If ID is not Arizona issued, bring a piece of mail with your name and current address on it. One visit per family.
What to expect: Each family will receive a turkey, a food box, and a produce bag.
Interested in volunteering? St. Mary's Food Bank needs volunteers on Wednesday to help pack boxes. They have two shifts that last two hours beginning at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. You can sign up via their volunteer portal here: St. Mary's Food Bank (volunteerhub.com)
Interested in donating? People can still donate turkeys, food or funds through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the food bank warehouse located at 2831 N. 31st Ave. in Phoenix.
Society of St. Vincent De Paul
Society of Vincent De Paul's mission is to combat emotional and physical tolls daily hunger and poor nutrition have on families while addressing the health, resource and educational disparities. This Thanksgiving Day, the organization is gearing up to serve about roughly 5,000 meals.
“Thanksgiving is a time for people everywhere to gather around a table and enjoy a hot meal together,” Associate Chief Operations Officer Danielle McMahon said.
Through the Season for Sharing campaign, donors gave Society of St. Vincent De Paul $7,500 in contributions.
“For those in need who don't have family or a place to go, St. Vincent de Paul is honored to have you at our family table in our dining rooms. We'll be cooking up the same delicious Thanksgiving meal we always do every year and sharing in the spirit of giving and service with hundreds of volunteers," McMahon said.
Meal service will occur at SVDP's five charity dining rooms across the Valley:
Mesa Dining Room Thanksgiving Meal (hybrid dining option)Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Address: 67 W. Broadway Road, Mesa
El Mirage Dining Room Thanksgiving Meal (to-go only)Time: 10-11:30 a.m. Address: 14016 N. Verbana St., El Mirage
Phoenix Dining Room Thanksgiving Meal (hybrid dining option)Breakfast 7-8 a.m.Lunch 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m. (Lunchtime meal service will host the Champions for the Homeless Thanksgiving event with former NFL great Nick Lowery, volunteers, and other NFL footballers serving meals) Address: 1075 W. Jackson St., Phoenix
Family Thanksgiving Meal (indoor dining only)Time: 4-6 p.m. Address: 420 W. Watkins Road, Phoenix
Sunnyslope Dining Room Thanksgiving Meal (hybrid dining)Lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.Dinner 4:30-5:30 p.m. Address: 9227 N. 10th Ave., Phoenix
At each dining room, guests will enjoy roasted turkey with turkey gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean almondine, corn bread stuffing, rolls, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army in Phoenix provides holiday meals and seasonal assistance to more than 50,000 community members in need, including children, seniors and those experiencing homelessness. Donors have contributed about $25,000 to Salvation Army through the Season for Sharing campaign.
When: Thursday, Nov. 24
Time: Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Meal service will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Phoenix Convention Center in Downtown Phoenix, located at 100 N. Third St. in the South Building (southeast corner of East Washington Street and Third Street)
Who is invited: This event is open to the public and for people of all ages. No advance sign-up or registration is required.
What to expect: A traditional sit-down congregate meal at tables with all the trimmings and fixings.
Interested in volunteering? The Salvation Army needs volunteers to help with cooking, packing, and plating meals, decorating, setup, cleanup, greeting guests, security, serving the meal to guests, delivering meals to the homebound, and more. You can sign up via their volunteer portal here: Volunteer Opportunities - The Salvation Army USA Western Territory
The Salvation Army will also be serving meals at its other Arizona locations:
The Salvation Army Mesa Citadel Corps Community Center (capacity 350) Time: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Address: 241 E. Sixth St., Mesa
The Salvation Army Tempe Corps Community Center Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Address: 40 E. University Drive, Tempe
The Salvation Army Chandler Corps Community Center (capacity 500) Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Address: 85 E. Saratoga St., Chandler
The Salvation Army Phoenix Maryvale Corps Community Center Time: 11 a.m. until 625 meals are gone Address: 4318 W. Clarendon Ave., Phoenix
The Salvation Army Tucson Thanksgiving Dinner Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Address: St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church located at 1145 E. Fort Lowell Road, Tucson
They are not in need of food donations at this time, but monetary donations are always accepted at SalvationArmyPhoenix.org.
Yuma Community Food Bank
People can receive Thanksgiving food boxes in Yuma County on Nov. 23 at these sites:
San Luis Distribution Site Time: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Address: 790 Juan Sanchez Blvd., San Luis
Somerton Distribution Site Time: 10 a.m. to noon. Address: 801 W. Main St., Somerton
Adventist Distribution Center Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Address: 903 W. Third St., Yuma
Yuma Community Food Bank Time: 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Address: 2404 E. 24th St., Yuma
Gospel Rescue Mission's Thanksgiving Blessings To Go
People can receive Thanksgiving brunch to go, as well as a box of vital resources at these locations in Tucson:
When: Wednesday, Nov. 23
Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Address: 4550 S. Palo Verde Road, Tucson
What to expect: All community members are welcome to a full Thanksgiving meal with all of the trimmings.
Interested in volunteering? Sign up to plate dishes and distribute food at Homeless Volunteer Opportunities Tucson | Gospel Rescue Mission (grmtucson.com)
Interested in donating? Tucson Gospel Rescue Mission is in need of more turkeys, pies, and nonperishable food items. Please contact here There’s Something You Can Do- Contact Us | Gospel Rescue Mission (grmtucson.com) to donate.
Uniting Arizona, Tucson
Thanksgiving Feast for the Tucson homeless community
When: Wednesday, Nov. 23
Time: 3-5 p.m.
Where: Santa Rita Park located at 401 E. 22nd St., Tucson
What to expect: Turkey dinner and free resources such as shoes and clothing
Uniting Arizona is accepting volunteers and donations for this event. Contact Crisann at 520-609-9965 or by email at Crisannblack@unitingarizona.org to get involved.
Ways to give to Season for Sharing
Fill out the secure, online form at sharing.azcentral.com.
Text “SHARING” to 91-999.
Visit facebook.com/seasonforsharing, look for the “DONATE HERE” post.
Clip and mail the coupon on Page 4A of The Arizona Republic.
Give when you buy a ticket to Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden. dbg.org.
Reach breaking news reporter Ellie Willard at ellie.willard@gannett.com or on Twitter @EllieWillardAZ.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Where to find free Thanksgiving meals this year and ways to give back
