Free Thanksgiving Meals & Ways to Give Back in Tucson (2023)

It’s that time of year when families gather around the table, dress up nicely, host awkward conversations, and eat more than their stomachs can handle.

However, Thanksgiving can be rather expensive, especially with turkey prices on the rise.

Luckily, folks in Tucson care for others in the community, and there are a few options for those in need of a helping hand. Some of these events are offering turkeys and others are serving up full meals (we’ll keep updating the list when we discover more options).

Plus, it’s also a great opportunity for people to donate.

Lerner and Rowe’s Thanksgiving Meal Packages

Noon on Friday, November 10

Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S. Houghton Rd.

At this free Tucson drive-thru event, Lerner and Rowe will be giving away 1,000 Thanksgiving meal packages. The event is “non-contact” and folks are asked to remain in their vehicles and just open their trunk or a side door to allow volunteers to place items inside. Please note that only one Thanksgiving meal package will be handed out per vehicle, on a first-come, first-served — while supplies last.

Learn more.

Giving Community by Arizona Bilingual Newspaper

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21

El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Rd.

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 more.

Learn more.

Gospel Rescue Mission’s Thanksgiving Blessings to Go

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22

H.S. Lopez Family Foundation Center of Opportunity, 4550 S. Palo Verde Rd.

The local nonprofit Gospel Rescue Mission is offering a holiday meal to those in the community. You’ll have the opportunity to eat a meal at a sit-down banquet or the option to get it through a drive-thru. The banquet will also have entertainment, fun activities for kids, and more.

Also, Gospel Rescue Mission is currently taking donations of turkeys, ready-to-eat pies, and nonperishable food items. 

Learn more.

The Salvation Army Tucson

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 23 

The Salvation Army, 1002 N. Main Ave.

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 more.

Learn more.