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.
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.
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.
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.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
