It’s that time of year again, when family and friends gather around the table for Thanksgiving.
We know the holidays can be stressful for some families, and the struggle to put food on the table can add to that burden. Thankfully, churches, food banks and volunteers around the city are working to provide families in need with free turkeys or full meals.
Indy Parks Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway
Watkins Park, 2360 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.
Nov. 23, 9 a.m.
Sponsored by Janet Easley and Bobby Jones, the annual Indy Parks turkey giveaway will hand out free Thanksgiving turkeys to families until supplies run out. There is a limit of one turkey per car.
Thanksgiving Turkey Basket Giveaway
Church of the Living God, 7206 E. 38th St.
Prince Hall Masonic Temple, 2201 Central Ave.
Nov. 23-24, noon to 4 p.m.
Indy Juneteenth’s People’s Free Food Program is hosting a two-day Thanksgiving food basket giveaway for families in need. The food baskets, which include a turkey, pantry stables and holiday favorites to prepare a warm Thanksgiving meal, will be handed out at the Church of the Living God on Nov. 23 and at Prince Hall Masonic Temple on Nov. 24. Baskets are first come, first served; RSVP at the website below.
indyjuneteenth.org/event-details/peoples-free-food-program-1
Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway
Faith Community Church, 6801 S. East St.
Nov. 23, 10-11:30 a.m.
Faith Community Church is handing out a Thanksgiving turkey dinner with sides to prepare for families in need. Dinners are first come, first served.
facebook.com/events/1234297181206160
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BFA Turkey Day Giveaway
The Umbrella Center, 1061 E. Southern Ave.
Nov. 25, 1-3 p.m.
For the fifth year in a row, the annual BFA Turkey Day Giveaway provides families in need with a Thanksgiving dinner box, which includes a large turkey, mashed potatoes, bread, canned vegetables, stuffing and dessert. Text 317-680-6165 to reserve a box for pickup.
EMCC Thanksgiving Dinner
Edna Martin Christian Center, 2605 E. 25th St.
Nov. 26, 5-7 p.m.
The Edna Martin Christian center is hosting a free community Thanksgiving Dinner open to everyone in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood. Families can come stop by for a hot meal, dessert and drink. No RSVP required.
Thanksgiving Meal Distribution
Mt. Pleasant Church, 5111 W. 62nd St.
Nov. 27, 3-6 p.m.
Mt. Pleasant MB Church Outreach is distributing free cooked meals to those in need this Thanksgiving. Families must register at 317-721-5685 by Nov. 15 in order to pick up a meal.
facebook.com/events/515838814675685?active_tab=about
Thanksgiving Banquet Meals
Scott Hall, 250 Fairground St., Franklin, IN
Nov. 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All are welcome to join Johnson County Banquets, Inc. for an in-person Thanksgiving meal this year. Deliveries will be made to homebound residents only. For additional questions, contact turkeydinner@johnsoncountybanquets.org.
facebook.com/JohnsonCoBanquets
Good Samaritan Network Holiday Assistance
White River Christian Church, 1685 N. 10th St., Noblesville;
Sheridan Community Center, 300 E. 6th St., Sheridan;
St. Louis De Monfort, 11441 Hague Road, Fishers
Nov. 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thanksgiving dinners will be available for families in need at these three Hamilton County Good Samaritan Network locations. Meals are served at the drive-thru pickup only and are first come, first served.
gsnlive.org/holiday-assistance
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe graduated with a degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and her previous work includes freelancing for Indy Maven, Assistant Arts & Life Editor for The Lantern, and editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Chloe enjoys covering all things arts and culture — from local music, visual art, dance, theater and film, as well as minority-owned businesses. In her free time, Chloe enjoys reading, cooking and keeping her plants alive.
