Thanksgiving is less than a week away and that means families are gearing up for tasty dinner spreads. But with inflation driving up food prices and the usual costs of living limiting budgets, some families are in need.
We've put together a list of some organizations that are handing out free Thanksgiving dinner boxes. These organizations are also accepting monetary donations and non-perishable food.
If you're in need or have something to give, check out the list below. If we missed any, let us know at [email protected]! We'll continue to update this list.
Come December, we'll also be putting together a list of places giving out food and toys for Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Feel free to send these to us as well.
Brother Jeff's Cultural Center
Nov. 24, 12 p.m. or 1 p.m.
2836 Welton St.
Brother Jeff Fard, along with Sony Music Publishing Chairman and CEO "Big Jon" Platt, will be hosting the "No One Should Be Hungry, Period" campaign on Thanksgiving Day.
The event started last year on Christmas Day and about 500 meals were packaged and readied for pick-up or delivery. This year, the goal is to provide more than 1,000 free meals.
If you need a meal, whether via pickup or delivery, or if you'd like to volunteer, fill out this form.
The Center is also accepting non-perishable food for the pantry. All items can be dropped off at the Center.
Denver Rescue Mission
Nov. 22, 12 p.m.
Empower Field at Mile High, Parking Lot B
1701 Bryant St, Denver, CO, 80204.
Denver Rescue Mission will be hosting a Thanksgiving Banquet-in-a-Box at Empower Field in partnership with the Denver Broncos. Each basket has a frozen turkey and Thanksgiving meal fixings for a family of eight to 10 people.
Registration is full at this point, but folks can arrive between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. for boxes on a first-come, first-served basis. It'll be a drive-thru process.
The organization is also accepting turkey donations. Every year, the Rescue Mission puts out a call for 15,000 turkeys and now they need 5,000 more. The organization also partners with churches, schools and non-profit organizations to donate food as well.
If you'd like to drop off a bird you can head to 2222 Lawrence Street on Friday Nov. 18 through Wednesday, November 23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On November 19, donations will also be accepted at UC Health Broncos Training Center, 13655 E Broncos Pkwy, Centennial, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Daddy Bruce's Denver Feed-A-Family
Nov. 19th
1865 Bruce Randolph Ave.
The Epworth Foundation is continuing the legacy and tradition of "Daddy" Bruce Randolph, with the Denver Feed-A-Family program. The goal this year was to distribute 5,000 boxes, but unfortunately the organization is short about $117,000. Denver Feed-A-Family will instead give out about 4,000 baskets.
Folks can sign up here to register for a basket or donate. The organization is also in need of volunteers. You can sign up here for overnight or day shifts.
Globeville Recreation Center
Nov. 19, 12 p.m.
4496 Grant St.
Tha Myx International, Birdseed Collective and other neighborhood stakeholders will be handing out Thanksgiving meals at the recreation center.
Servicios de La Raza
Nov. 22, 9 a.m.
3131 W. 14th Ave.
Servicios will host its annual Holidays en Comunidad food basket giveaway on both Nov. 22 and Dec. 21.
The nonprofit will be giving away free turkeys, grocery store gift cards and other foods to prepare for the holiday. There will also be other resources including clothing, COVID-19 vaccinations and health clinics. Servicios is hoping to serve 600 families.
Baskets will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.
The organization is also accepting food and financial donations. Food items can be non-perishables, turkey, potatoes, stuffing, canned vegetables and sweet items. Grocery store gift cards are also welcomed.
Southwest Denver Coalition
Nov. 18
The Coalition typically gives out either food or gift cards, but the sign-up period has already passed. However, if the organization receives more donations, those on the waiting list may be able to receive some goods.
The Coalition is looking for gift card donations in the sum of $40 for Walmart or King Soopers. Those can be dropped off through a mail slot at Councilmember Kevin Flynn's office at 3100 S. Sheridan Blvd. If you'd like to drop it off in person, please call 720-337-2222 to make arrangements.
The cards can also be dropped off at BuCu West's office at 4200 Morrison Rd. You may call the Coalition's Executive Director Kasandra Ornelas at 720-675-8313 to schedule a dropoff time.
For financial contributions, the Coalition accepts PayPal or checks.
Struggle of Love Foundation
Nov. 19, 1 p.m.
12000 E. 47th Ave.
Struggle of Love is hosting its 15th annual "Need to Feed" Thanksgiving basket giveaway. The organization is partnering with Families Forward Resource Center.
You can register here. One basket will be given per car.
Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center
Nov. 23, 1:30 p.m.
1260 Decatur St.
The Kitchen is continuing its Thanksgiving tradition of providing pies for families and individuals. Folks must attend the No-Cost Grocery Program on the Nov. 23 to receive a pie.
You can also donate pies on Saturday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m.
All pies are welcome.
Volunteers of America Colorado
Nov. 22, 1 p.m.
321. S. Yates St.
Volunteers of America Colorado will be handing out hundreds of dinner baskets filled with nonperishable food, bread from the organization's City Harvest and a $50 Safeway gift card.
About 300 baskets will be given out Tuesday in a drive-thru fashion and on a first-come, first-served basis.
VOAC will also give out an additional 400 baskets to individuals and families receiving services through VOAC in Metro Denver. About 400 gift cards will also be given to programs outside the metro area.
In a press release, the organization said it originally planned for a traditional Thanksgiving meal but decided to go with gift cards to allow participants to choose what they'd like for the holiday. Food Bank of the Rockies is providing the nonperishable items.
