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Where To Find Free Turkey in NYC This Thanksgiving

Many organizations throughout New York City are offering free turkey giveaways, plus full, hot Thanksgiving dinners this season. Photo by John McCarten for the New York City Council

10/30/24 - By Katie Nave

Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, and we know many local families are struggling and could use the help of one of these local organizations offering a free turkey in NYC.

Inflation, job loss, mounting debt, and worse have left many New Yorkers facing food insecurity. With that in mind, we've rounded up 13 local organizations that are stepping up to ensure all who need help filling their tables or getting a hot meal this Thanksgiving can. From free turkey giveaways to take-out options and low-cost holiday meals, here's where to get help this holiday season.

If you're fortunate enough to have a full pantry and pocketbook, consider donating to one of these exceptional organizations to help others across the city, and put the "thanks" in Thanksgiving by lending a hand at one of these local Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities. You can find more ways to spend the day in our New York City Kids Guide to Thanksgiving.

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While many of the organizations below focus on Thanksgiving and the holiday season, it's also worth noting help is available year-round. The Get Food NYC map is also a handy site to bookmark. You can always locate your nearest food pantry or community kitchen by calling the Emergency Food Hotline at 866-888-8777 or dialing 311.

Where to Find Free Turkey in NYC for Thanksgiving 2024

1. Catholic Charities of New York – Harlem

This organization has an annual tradition of providing free Thanksgiving turkeys and trimmings at the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Memorial Community Center. Call 888-744-7900 to register and receive details on the date and time of pickup.

Free Turkey in NYC Salvation Army Harlem Temple Corps
Register in advance with the Salvation Army Harlem Temple Corps for a turkey and other delicious Thanksgiving foods, Photo courtesy of the Salvation Army

2. The Salvation Army Harlem Temple Corps – Harlem

This Salvation Army traditionally distributes Thanksgiving turkeys on a weekday prior to Thanksgiving. Registration is normally required. More information can be found by following its Facebook page. Thanksgiving assistance sign-up is taken on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 11am-1pm.

3. Gardiner Foundation Turkey Giveaway – Fordham, the Bronx

Saturday, November 23, 2024
In past years, this organization has distributed 1,100 free turkeys, plus all the trimmings, to the community through its annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway.

Free turkeys in NYC: West Side Campaign Against Hunger
West Side Campaign Against Hunger aims to distribute free turkeys and other holiday foods to more than 16,000 families. Photo courtesy of the organization

4. West Side Campaign Against Hunger – Upper West Side

In past years, West Side Campaign Against Hunger launched the Healthy Foods Holiday Challenge to ensure everyone has access to Thanksgiving meals with their families. It continues the tradition this year, with the goal of serving 16,000 families this November. For information on access to Thanksgiving meals, contact 212-362-3662, ext. 126, or email socialservices@wscah.org closer to Thanksgiving for more details.

5. Masbia Soup Kitchen – Multiple Brooklyn and Queens Locations

This well-known organization operates both a food pantry and a daily takeaway dinner service (more on that below). Families who need food staples can sign up for a once-per-week pantry take-home package. You can get an appointment via the digital breadline on the Plentiful app (as well as at dozens of other food pantries in NYC). As a rule of thumb, pay particular attention to the time (morning or evening) when you book. All goods are first come, first served, and the pantry may have a limited supply of whole turkeys in addition to some raw holiday ingredients like butternut squash, pumpkin, and raw or cooked cranberries.

6. Goke Food Pantry – Brooklyn

Goke Food Pantry aims to give away 1,000 free turkeys this year during its Turkey Drive. Bookmark its website for details on this year's turkey giveaway, which have yet to be released.

7. Harlem Grown's Thanksgiving Drive – Harlem

Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Harlem Grown sponsors a Thanksgiving food drive to create festive Thanksgiving meal kits to distribute to the community. Bags come with a turkey, traditional sides, and fresh produce. A registration link will be shared on its website.

NYC Organizations Offering Hot Thanksgiving Meals

8. RISE Rockaway – Arverne, Queens

Tentatively Scheduled for Saturday, November 23, 2024
Traditionally, RISE hosts a Rockaway Thanksgiving Feast on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, which is FREE for all who attend. Registration is required. Guests enjoy a sit-down, community-style feast. Servings are limited to three per household. Local Rockaway restaurants such as La Cevicheria and Cuisine by Claudette provide delicious Thanksgiving favorites for this community meal.

9. DOROT’s Thanksgiving Meal Delivery – Upper West Side

Sunday, November 24, 2024
DOROT delivers homemade Thanksgiving meals to homebound seniors citywide during Thanksgiving week and seeks volunteers to pick up and deliver the meals to each senior's door, then call or visit the senior to share holiday wishes. Volunteers must be age 18+ or families with children ages 10-17 who commit to following DOROT's safety guidelines. If you know a senior who could benefit from DOROT's aid, call 212-769-2850.

10. Xavier Mission Thanksgiving Dinner – Chelsea

Thursday, November 28 and Sunday, December 1, 2024
While this meal is traditionally geared toward the elderly and disabled, no one is turned away from the holiday celebration. A second Thanksgiving Welcome Table meal is traditionally served the Sunday following the holiday, too.

Free turkey in NYC: Masbia
Masbia's kosher pantry distributes tons of supplies to needy neighbors. Photo courtesy of Masbia

11. Masbia – Multiple Locations

Masbia's emergency food program operates three facilities in Flatbush, Forest Hills, and Boro Park. The organization serves more than 2 million meals each year. All who are hungry are welcome to pick up dinner Monday through Thursday, from 3-7pm, and Thanksgiving favorites will be served during the holiday week. A ready-to-eat, hot turkey dinner is served on Thanksgiving Day and most likely the day before, too.

12. The Bowery Mission – Multiple Locations

Thursday, November 28, 2024
The Bowery Mission hosts its 144th Thanksgiving dinner in 2024. Warm Thanksgiving plates are given to all those in need. All hot Thanksgiving meals are served on-site at the Bowery Mission's historic chapel. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available. Hot breakfast is also served at this location prior to the traditional Thanksgiving Day meal. Enjoy live music at 227 Bowery while enjoying a warm Thanksgiving meal.

13. North Brooklyn Angels – Multiple Brooklyn Locations

Thursday, November 28, 2024
The North Brooklyn Angels sponsors a multi-day event dubbed Neighbors Giving Thanks, which utilizes the volunteer efforts of 100 local volunteers to provide a dignified Thanksgiving to neighbors in need. This year it plans to distribute 1,000 holiday meals from Monday-Wednesday of Thanksgiving week and serve a hot Thanksgiving meal to 600 guests on Thanksgiving Day.

Originally published in November 2020