Thanksgiving is right around the corner, but it’s an expensive holiday for some North Texas families.
Factors like inflation and supply shortages add a financial burden to people already struggling to make ends meet. It’s estimated that a Thanksgiving meal is around 20% more expensive than 2021, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
To help families in need, several Dallas-area charities and organizations are giving away free turkeys and hosting Thanksgiving meals to ease the burden. Many of these groups have been hosting food drives this November in preparation for the holidays.
Here’s a list of places giving out turkeys and other Thanksgiving items this season:
- Christ Apostolic Church, 902 St. Paul Drive in Richardson, is hosting a mobile food pantry from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday.
- Ferris Junior High School, 1002 E. Eighth St. in Ferris, is hosting a mobile food pantry from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday.
- Our Savior Lutheran Church, 3003 Horizon Road in Rockwall, is hosting a mobile food pantry from 10 a.m. to noon Friday.
- West Dallas Multipurpose Center, 2828 Fish Trap Road in Dallas, is hosting a holiday food distribution from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. Food is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and volunteers may ask attendees for proof of residency.
- St. Philip’s School and Community Center, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in Dallas, is hosting a Thanksgiving feast from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and aims to serve about 300 people. Donations of turkey and ham are being accepted until Friday.
- Dream Center Dallas, 1900 S. Ewing Ave. in Dallas, is distributing Thanksgiving meal kits from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
- Inspired to Live Church, 2455 Ascension Blvd. in Arlington, is hosting a free holiday meal from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
- The North Texas Food Bank partners with many local organizations to give out food. To learn more about food assistance programs, check out NTFB’s website.
- The Tarrant Area Food Bank encourages those in need to check its website’s search tool to find food near them.
Some organizations have already fulfilled requests for free meals and are no longer accepting walk-ups at this time.