Starting Wednesday, local organizations will provide free Thanksgiving meals for Akron residents, from free turkeys to take-home baskets with all the trimmings to sit-down dinners on Thanksgiving Day. 

When visiting food distribution centers, be sure to bring your ID. If you are picking up food on someone else’s behalf, you may need a proxy letter. 

Did we miss a free holiday meal event? Let us know at hello@signalakron.org.

Where to find a take-home Thanksgiving meal or turkey giveaway in Akron

Patricia Ann Cargill Charities

  • Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 1 to 3 p.m.
  • 1823 Manchester Road
  • Hosted by Akron City Council Member Eric Garrett, more than 150 turkeys will be given away at Patricia Ann Cargill Charities. This giveaway is first come, first served. 

Uncle Tito’s Mexican Grill

  • Saturday, Nov. 22 | 3 to 5 p.m.
  • 2215 E. Waterloo Road
  • Uncle Tito’s Mexican Grill is hosting a turkey dinner giveaway. Pick up a free Thanksgiving dinner – including a turkey and sides prepped and ready to be cooked at home. This giveaway is first come, first served.

Summit Lake Community Center

  • Saturday, Nov. 22 | Starting at 10 a.m.
  • 30 W. Crosier St.
  • Love in Akron Outreach Services and Faith Work First Ministries Church will give away 75 to 100 turkeys in the community center’s parking lot. 
The Remedy Church is hosting its “Feed the 5,000” event, where people can pick up free groceries. Metro RTA is offering free rides to and from the event — riders must show a copy of this flyer (paper, digital or photo) to the bus operator to ride for free.
The Remedy Church is hosting its “Feed the 5,000” event, where people can pick up free groceries. Metro RTA is offering free rides to and from the event — riders must show a copy of this flyer (paper, digital or photo) to the bus operator to ride for free.  

North High School

  • Saturday, Nov. 22 | Noon to 3 p.m.
  • 985 Gorge Blvd. 
  • The Remedy Church is hosting its “Feed the 5,000” event, where people can pick up free groceries. Metro RTA is offering free rides to and from the event. Riders must show a copy of the flyer above (paper, digital or photo) to the bus operator to ride free.  

Joy Park Community Center

  • Monday, Nov. 24 | 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.
  • 825 Fuller St.
  • The Good Samaritan Hunger Center is hosting its eighth annual Turkey and Trimmings Giveaway. The event is a drive-through pickup — they will be giving away one turkey with trimmings per family (only two families per vehicle). There are 600 turkeys total, and they will be given away on a first come, first served basis. 

Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church

  • Tuesday, Nov. 25 | 3 to 7 p.m.
  • 1866 Brown St.
  • Professional athlete and St. Vincent-St. Mary grad Jayvon Graves is hosting a Thanksgiving food drive. While supplies last, Graves will give away free turkeys, holiday proteins and non-perishables. Giveaway is limited to one per family.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

  • Tuesday, Nov. 25 | 5 to 6:30 p.m.
  • 129 S. Union St.
  • Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church will be giving away free dinners, groceries and clothing during their regular Tuesday food pantry and hot meal service. There will also be free take-home Thanksgiving meals including turkey, sides and dessert. 

Free dine-in Thanksgiving meals in Akron

  • Thursday, Nov. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Table church, 11776 Cleveland Ave. NW, Uniontown.
  • Friday, Nov. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Tyler’s Redemption, 2684 Sanitarium Road, Lakemore.
  • Saturday, Nov. 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. at New Beginnings Outreach Ministries Church, 929 Wooster Road, Barberton.
  • Sunday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. at Grace Park, North Prospect and Perkins streets, sponsored by Everyone Deserves to Eat.
  • Sunday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m. at Wingfoot Church, 1690 Hillside Terrace, Goodyear Heights.
  • Friends in Tents and Community Outreach will be sharing Friendsgiving meals in its KSOP cafe, 445 W. Cedar St., at the following days and times: Monday, Nov. 24, from 2 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 25, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., Nov. 26-29 from 2 to 5 p.m. (including Thanksgiving Day.)
  • The Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner, a sit-down, home-cooked meal with all the trimmings, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bill Denton Center, 490 E. South St.
  • The Mission will serve a traditional meal Thanksgiving Day at noon and again at 5:30 p.m. at Haven of Rest Ministries, 175 E. Market St. Personal care products will be passed out at both meals.

Year-round food programs — pantries, meal sites and other hunger-relief programs

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank partners with nearly 600 organizations to provide hunger relief. Visit the online database to find locations for securing a meal or take-home groceries.  Locations can also be found on the United Way Summit and Medina website. 

Culture and Arts Reporter (she/her)
Kelsei centers arts and culture, food and identity in her storytelling. She uses her professional experience and editorial skills to focus a community-first mindset and a strategic approach to her reporting. Kelsei’s previous reporting experiences include food, community and culture coverage at 225 Magazine in her hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Kelsei is a recent alumna of Northwestern University and a 2023 graduate of Jackson State University.