Dallas has numerous options for those needing a warm meal this Thanksgiving.
With elevated grocery prices, it can be difficult for some families to afford Thanksgiving dinner. While the prices of some food items have pulled back from last year, and inflation has started to cool, a Thanksgiving spread is still out of reach for many residents.
If you and your family are in need of a meal, consider the following available options:
- Operation Turkey: Volunteers with Operation Turkey help with the Thanksgiving meal from start to end, from cooking to delivery. Meals, including turkey, stuffing, and vegetables, will be delivered on Thanksgiving Day between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Meals can be requested until November 22 or until all available meals are ordered.
- United Way’s Food & Health Resources Fair: On Saturday, November 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, which just celebrated its 100th anniversary, and Goodr are giving out 1,000 holiday meal boxes to southern sector families. The event will occur at Fair Park at 1010 First Ave. Families can register here.
- North Texas Food Bank: On November 23, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the University of North Texas at Dallas campus, families can receive a turkey and roughly 60 lbs. of groceries. The address is 7300 University Hills Blvd.
- Meals of Thanks & Giving food distribution: On November 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., you can drive through and pick up an uncooked turkey and fresh produce at the West Dallas Multipurpose Center at 2828 Fish Trap Rd. Only families living in ZIP codes 75208, 75211, and 75212 are eligible.
- MLK Fresh Produce Distribution Center: For fresh produce, families can visit the MLK Fresh Produce Distribution Center at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center at 2922 MLK Blvd. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Dallas LIFE Turkey Fry: From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 25, Dallas LIFE is hosting its 9th annual outdoor Turkey Fry to feed homeless individuals in the community. In 2023, hundreds of volunteers showed up to lend a hand at the annual event. This year’s Turkey Fry occurs in the Dallas LIFE parking lot at 1100 Cadiz St.
- Norma’s Café: Norma’s Café in Oak Cliff, considered one of the best in Dallas by Yelp reviewers, will host a complimentary meal on Thanksgiving Day. The service will run from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at 1123 W. Davis St.
- Metrocrest Services: Metrocrest Services is giving out free Thanksgiving dinner to residents of Addison, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, and Dallas in Denton County on November 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meals can be picked up at 1145 N. Josey Lane in Carrollton. Registration is required and can be completed here.