6 places to get free Thanksgiving meals and more this month

Before you start putting up Christmas lights and listening to Mariah Carey, you still have one more holiday to prepare for.

In the blink of an eye, Thanksgiving will be around the corner — leaving you with only a few weeks to prepare the perfect turkey dinner.

With the season of giving upon us, these Tucson organizations are providing free turkeys and meals to families in need, ensuring everyone has a stress-free holiday.

Lerner and Rowe’s Thanksgiving Giveaway

Injury attorneys Lerner and Rowe will be giving away 1,000 Thanksgiving meal packages, which include goodies to help make the traditional meal. The meal packages will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. The event will also be no-contact; families are asked to remain in their vehicles and open their truck or side door for volunteers to place items inside.

When: Noon on Friday, Nov. 10

Where: Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S. Houghton Road

Visit the website for more information.

Giving Community

Arizona Bilingual Newspaper will be giving out 300 turkey gift cards and food bags to community members. There will also be live music, raffles and a vaccine clinic.

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21

Where: El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road

Visit the event page for more information.

Thanksgiving Blessings to Go

For their 35th annual Thanksgiving banquet, local nonprofit Gospel Rescue Mission is providing a holiday meal to community members, who will have the option eat their meal at a sit-down banquet or get it through a drive-thru. Either option will allow families to get a free brunch plus a box of resources. The banquet will also have entertainment, fun activities for kids and more.

Gospel Rescue Mission is currently seeking donations of turkeys and store-bought ready-to-eat pies, in addition to nonperishable food items. 

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When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22

Where: H.S. Lopez Family Foundation Center of Opportunity, 4550 S. Palo Verde Road

Visit the event page for more information.

The Salvation Army Tucson

Since 1984, The Salvation Army Tucson has been providing Thanksgiving meals to the community. On Thanksgiving Day, over 200 volunteers will be handing out roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, rolls and pumpkin pie. 

The Salvation Army is also asking for donations to help make this meal possible. They are asking for turkeys, canned vegetables, canned cranberry sauce, canned pumpkin or fruit pie filling, prepared pie crust, boxed stuffing, cornbread mix, boxed mashed potatoes, gravy packets, boxed macaroni and cheese, bags of tea and apple cider packets. To arrange a donation drop-off, call 520-448-3997.

When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23 

Where: The Salvation Army, 1002 N. Main Ave.

Visit the website for more information.

Casa Maria Soup Kitchen

Each year around Thanksgiving, Casa Maria Soup Kitchen makes a signature turkey soup. The kitchen is open 8:30-11:30 a.m. daily, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Casa Maria, 352 E. 25th St., is currently seeking donations of frozen turkeys, fresh fruit, cookies and canned food.

Visit the website for more information.

Interfaith Community Services Mobile Food Bank

While they won’t be serving Thanksgiving meals, the ICS Mobile Food Bank will be providing free produce to those in need throughout the month. They will be at various churches across the city where they will be distributing the free food from 8-10 a.m. select days.

Visit the website for more information.