Starting Wednesday, Nov. 11, churches, nonprofits and community organizations across Akron and Summit County are offering free turkeys, holiday grocery baskets and community dinners. 

Requirements vary by event. Some require registration or a proxy form, and many ask visitors to bring an ID. 

Most turkey giveaways limit families to one turkey — while supplies last. 

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

Wednesday, Nov. 11 | Salvation Army Family Store | Pie giveaway

  • 9 to 11 a.m.
  • 1033 Bellows St.
  • Aetna Pie Giveaway will take place during the monthly Red Shield Food Distribution.

Wednesday, Nov. 11 | | Kisling, Nestico & Redick | Free turkey

  • 11 a.m. (until supplies run out)
  • 3412 W. Market St., Fairlawn.
  • Donate a gently used coat or any non-perishable food item. In exchange, choose a free turkey or ham while supplies last. Community members may drive through or walk up to participate. Place donations in a trunk. Organizers will collect them and replace them with a turkey.

Saturday, Nov. 14 | Generous Donors of American | Free turkey

  • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • 1500 Canton Road, Suite 190.
  • One turkey per family. An ID or a letter that includes the name and address of the receiver is required.

Saturday, Nov. 14 | Ed Davis Community Center | Thanksgiving meal

  • Noon to 3 p.m.
  • 730 Perkins Park Dr.
  • The Akron community center will host a free dine-in or carry out Community Thanksgiving Dinner. The event is presented by Faith International Temple and community partners and hosted in partnership with Sommerville Funeral Services.

Sunday Nov. 15 | Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church | Thanksgiving dinner

  • After the Divine Liturgy
  • 1866 Brown St.
    Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church will host its annual Thanksgiving dinner following the Divine Liturgy. The meal will include traditional turkey and sides.

Wednesday, Nov. 18 | Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church | Free turkeys

  • 3 to 7 p.m.
  • 1866 Brown St.
  • Professional athlete and St. Vincent-St. Mary grad Jayvon Graves is hosting a Thanksgiving Community Giveaway. The event for families in need includes free Thanksgiving turkeys and other holiday proteins, plus non-perishables. The giveaway is limited to one per family. 

Saturday, Nov. 21 | New Spirit Revival Center | Thanksgiving food giveaway

  • Noon to 4 p.m.
  • 1061 Clearview Ave.
    New Spirit Revival Center will host its second annual Thanksgiving food giveaway. Chili will also be served while supplies last. Contact Brother Craig at 510-277-2495 or Sister Trina at 330-313-9994 for more information.

Saturday, Nov. 21 | | New Hope Baptist Church | Community dinner

  • 1 to 5 p.m.
  • 1706 S. Hawkins Ave.
  • New Hope Baptist Church will host a Thanksgiving community dinner at two different times, from 1 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. and from 3:25 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Contact the office to register by Nov. 18: 330-865-9472.

Saturday, Nov. 21 | New Beginnings Outreach Ministries Church | Free community dinner

  • 2 to 4 p.m.
  • 929 Wooster Road West, Barberton
  • New Beginnings Outreach Church is offering a free Thanksgiving community turkey dinner as well as giving away hats, gloves and more.

Saturday, Nov. 21 | Shelton Temple Prayer COGIC | Thanksgiving basket giveaway

Saturday, Nov. 21 | The Remedy Church Feed the 5,000 | Thanksgiving starter kits

  • Noon to 3 p.m.
  • 131 S. High St.
  • The Remedy Church is partnering with the Akron NAACP and Cleveland Clinic Akron General to distribute Thanksgiving starter kits after its weekend service.

Sunday, Nov. 22 | I Silver Pearls | Thanksgiving party

  • 2 to 5 p.m.
  • 2196 E. Market St.
  • The senior lifestyle and home support service is hosting Plaid, Pumpkins & Pearls: A Thanksgiving Celebration for seniors who live away from their families or have limited social opportunities. They are welcome to bring a family member, friend, neighbor or caregiver to enjoy the celebration with them. Registration is required in advance. 

Monday, Nov. 23 | Joy Park Community Center | Turkey giveaway

  • 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.
  • 825 Fuller St.
  • The Good Samaritan Hunger Center is hosting its ninth annual Turkey and Trimmings Giveaway. The event is a drive-through pickup — giving away one turkey with trimmings per family (only two families per vehicle — this includes proxies). There are 600 turkeys available, and they will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis. Forms are available on the organization’s website.

Friends in Tents and Community Outreach, KSOP Cafe

  • Dates:
    • Monday, Nov. 23 | 2 to 5 p.m.
    • Tuesday, Nov. 24 | 6 to 9 p.m.
    • Wednesday, Nov. 25 | 2 to 5 p.m.
    • Thursday, Nov. 26 | 2 to 5 p.m.
  • 594 Fifth St. NE. 
  • Friends in Tents and Community Outreach is preparing to serve 500 Friendsgiving meals during the week of Thanksgiving. The organization is also seeking donations of turkeys, hams, pies and side dishes to help prepare the meals.

Kathy’s Kitchen 

  • Thursday, Nov. 26
  • 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • 490 E. South St.
  • A free community Thanksgiving dinner is scheduled at the Bill Denton Center, hosted by Kathy’s Kitchen. 

Summit Recovery Hub

  • Thursday, Nov. 26
  • Around 3 p.m.
  • 572 W. Market St., Unit 2.
  • Summit Recovery Hub plans to host a Thanksgiving dinner featuring turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and other holiday dishes.

Contributor (she/her)
Shams Mustafa believes journalism can help communities navigate complex issues and access support. As a freelance journalist at the Wooster Daily Record, she worked to report with clarity and empathy to help readers navigate the systems that affect their lives, using her skills as a storyteller. Now, she brings those skills to Signal Akron as a contributor. She holds a Master of Arts degree in journalism from Kent State University and has been recognized for her work by the Ohio Associated Press Managing Editors.