Starting Saturday, local organizations will provide Thanksgiving meals at no cost for Akron residents, from 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 must have a proxy letter.
Looking for local options to purchase a holiday meal? Check out Signal Akron’s Turkey Day guide.
Did we miss a free holiday meal event? Let us know at hello@signalakron.org.
Where to find a take-home Thanksgiving meal in Akron
Saturday, Nov. 23 | 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. | Shelton Temple Church of God, 527 N. Howard St.
Shelton Temple Church of God will give away baskets with turkeys and sides from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. or until supplies run out.
Saturday, Nov. 23 | Noon to 3 p.m. | The Remedy Church, 1700 Brittain Rd.
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 church from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Riders must show the flyer (downloadable at the bottom of this story) to the bus operator to ride free.
Monday, Nov. 25 | 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. | Joy Park Community Center, 825 Fuller St.
The Good Samaritan Hunger Center is hosting its seventh 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 on a first come, first served basis.
Tuesday, Nov. 26 | 5 to 6:30 p.m. | Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union St.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church will be giving away free dinners during their regular Tuesday food pantry and hot meal service. The to-go packages will include enough turkey, sides, stuffing and dessert for four servings.
Free dine-in Thanksgiving meals in Akron
- Saturday, Nov. 23, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Ed Davis Community Center, 730 Perkins Park Dr.
- Monday, Nov. 25, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Joanna House II, 340 E. South St.
- Tuesday, Nov. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Wesley Temple AME Zion Church, 104 N. Prospect St.
- Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Akron Bible Church’s Bill Denton Outreach Center, 490 E. South St.
- Thanksgiving Day at noon (doors open at 10:15 a.m.) and 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:15 p.m.) at Haven of Rest Ministries, 175 E. Market St.
- Thanksgiving Day from 2 to 6 p.m. at Sarah’s House, 414 Pine St. Take-home meals will also be provided.
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.
