Every year on the 4th or final Thursday of November, Americans arrange Thanksgiving Day with great exuberance.
History tells us that this day is dedicated to thanking God for all the blessings. Americans pray to God on this day to express their gratitude. You can check out our previous post, Maximize Your Savings: A Complete Guide to Smart Shopping for Black Friday 2024, for more on this tradition.
In today’s post, we’ll discuss one significant aspect of Thanksgiving. Before that, let’s briefly look at how Americans celebrate the traditions of this day.
Thanksgiving Traditions
Americans celebrate Thanksgiving with miscellaneous events, one of the most popular parts in this arrangement is Thanksgiving Parade display. Started in 1924, it’s one of the largest and most fascinating parades in the U.S. spanning about 2.5 miles. Nearly 2-3 million people attend, and it is broadcast live on television. This parade display includes giant helium-filled balloons shaped like popular cartoon characters that parade through Manhattan, reminding everyone of iconic characters like Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Hello Kitty, and Mickey Mouse, with around 50 characters featured. Each year, new characters are added; this year, “Red” will be introduced.
Today’s article focuses on a different Thanksgiving tradition: the festive meals that have evolved over time to represent community gatherings more than religious practices.
History of the Food
In November 1621, the Plymouth colonist celebrated a successful harvest with an epic meal. Governor William arranged a feast to thank God for the abundant crop, which included corn. At the event, they also thanked each other for their support throughout the year. This meal marked the first Thanksgiving. Food and gathering have become essential elements of Thanksgiving.
The First Thanksgiving Menu
Today, turkey is the main feature on Thanksgiving tables. However, in the first Thanksgiving, there was no turkey; instead, the local Americans brought five deer to share with the English settlers, marking a gesture of goodwill. Therefore, venison was the main course at the first Thanksgiving dinner.
The President’s Turkey Pardon
At the end of every Thanksgiving, the President pardons a turkey, a tradition started by President George W. Bush in 1989 following appeals from animal rights groups to prevent mass turkey slaughter. This tradition had an earlier instance when President Abraham Lincoln’s son, Tad, asked him to free a turkey intended for the family meal.
Free Thanksgiving Dinner: A Noble Initiative
Across America, many organizations arrange free Thanksgiving dinners for those in need. These events unite both rich and poor, with the wealthy donating turkeys, hams, or money, which organizations collect to provide free meals to those in need. This way, no one misses out on the joys of the day, and everyone, regardless of status, can celebrate Thanksgiving together.
In this blog we (social media Caring Family) those who work tirelessly to make this event possible for the community without expecting anything in return.
In the first position in our research is:
Feeding America – By its name, it may seem like they are feeding the entire American population. However, that’s not the case. Their main mission is based on “An America where no one is hungry,” focusing on serving the hungry. Their journey began in the 1960s, and they operate through three main steps:
- Rescuing Food
- Storing Food
- Distributing Food
For Thanksgiving Day, they are organizing free meals. By visiting their website and entering your local area code, you can see where Thanksgiving meals are being offered near you, and they will provide delivery service. I like this system as it ensures that those in need don’t feel disheartened over a single meal.
In the second position in our research is:
Lerner & Rowe Gives Back – This charitable organization was founded by Kevin Rowe and inspired by the 2000 movie Pay It Forward. In the movie, a social studies teacher gives an unusual assignment to a young boy: create something that could change the world, put it into action, and spread a chain of positive change among unknown individuals.
Their primary focus is on supporting children and teens who cannot lead a normal life due to illness but are still living. Other focus areas include Health and Human Services, Animal Welfare, and Public Safety. They operate through donations and volunteer service from Americans.
This Thanksgiving Day, they are organizing free Thanksgiving dinners across various U.S. locations, including Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Bullhead City, Yuma, Chicago, Phoenix, and Tucson. For more information, visit their event page free thanksgiving dinner near me.
Lerner & Rowe is generously providing 3,500 meal kits to families in Phoenix and nearby locations in Arizona. Each kit will contain essential holiday meal items, available on a first-come, first-served basis, with one package per family. The distribution event is scheduled for November 15, 2024, at 3 p.m., hosted at Dream City Church, located at 13613 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix.
In the third position in our research is:
In our research, the third position is held by FeedAZ.org, which operates in the state of Arizona. They are collecting donations starting November 19, 2024, with the initiative to provide free Thanksgiving meals to Arizona residents.
The following message is featured on their website:
The 16th Annual Turkey Tuesday Food Drive! Join the City of Mesa Engineering Department & United Food Bank for the 16th Annual Turkey Drive. Our goal this year is to collect 2,000 turkeys!
Donate a turkey at the Mesa Convention Center on Tuesday, November 19th, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Donation Drop-off Address:
40 E. 3rd Place, Mesa, AZ
In the fourth position in our research is:
In our research, the fourth position is held by St. Vincent de Paul, an organization that performs charitable work year-round. They distribute 7,000 meals daily to those in need and spent $7.14 million last year to aid the homeless. Their extensive charitable activities are powered by donations and volunteer work. You can visit their website to see the full scope of their operations.
For the upcoming Thanksgiving Day, they will be holding the following free Thanksgiving dinner events:
- Phoenix Dining Room Thanksgiving Meal
Time: 7-8 a.m.
Location: 1075 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix
This meal service will include the Champions for the Homeless Thanksgiving event, featuring former NFL player Nick Lowery and other volunteers, including NFL players, serving meals with live music and fun activities. - Mesa Dining Room Thanksgiving Meal
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Location: 49 W. Broadway Road, Mesa - El Mirage Dining Room Thanksgiving Meal
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Location: 14016 N. Verbena Street, El Mirage - Family Thanksgiving Meal
Time: 4-6 p.m.
Location: 2120 S. 3rd Dr., Phoenix
For more details, please refer to their official site.
In the fifth position in our research is:
St. Mary’s Food Bank St. Mary’s Food Bank of Arizona: Help Feed the Hungry
St. Mary’s Food Bank offers essential nutrition to families, children, and seniors who face food insecurity. Each year, they deliver meals to millions across Arizona, with operational efficiency allowing every dollar donated to create five meals. By working with hundreds of partner agencies, including food pantries, shelters, and support programs, St. Mary’s ensures that food reaches those in need, at no cost.
The concept originated in 1967 when John van Hengel, inspired by a conversation with a mother reliant on soup kitchens and store dumpsters, conceived the first “Food Bank” at St. Mary’s Basilica in Phoenix. Funded with $3,000 and an unused building, van Hengel launched what would become a nationwide model, also founding America’s Second Harvest (now Feeding America) and the Global Food Banking Network. Referred to as “the father of food banking,” his vision continues to impact millions.
Today, St. Mary’s Food Bank is recognized among America’s top charities, including a Four Star rating from Charity Navigator and a place in Forbes’ Top 100 Charities, serving as the largest nonprofit in the Phoenix area for service assistance.
In the Sixth position in our research is:
The Salvation Army Western USA provides comprehensive assistance to people in need across the region, offering food, housing, addiction recovery programs, and shelters for survivors of abuse and trafficking.
They operate with a mission to meet human needs without discrimination, grounded in a commitment to the gospel and inspired by a sense of community service. Their services span over multiple states, including Alaska, California, Colorado, and Hawaii, reaching people in diverse circumstances.
In addition to emergency and daily support, the organization also focuses on long-term recovery, life skills classes, and holiday-specific aid, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas meal distribution. By volunteering or donating, supporters help the organization continue its outreach in underserved areas, reinforcing The Salvation Army’s goal of “Doing the Most Good” in every community they serve.
To learn more about their impact or find ways to contribute, you can visit their official website
Thanksgiving Day meal and holiday food boxes
- Salvation Army Northwest Valley Corps is offering a Thanksgiving Day meal from 11:30 a.m. – 1 pm. at 17420 Ave of the Arts, Surprise, AZ 85378
- Pick up a holiday food box from November 25-27 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Address: 17420 Ave of the Arts, Surprise, AZ 85378
In the Seventh position in our research is:
The West Valley Community Food Pantry, a vital resource for families and individuals in need, partners with local organizations to provide holiday meal food boxes in the Surprise, AZ area. The pantry works alongside other food banks and community groups to ensure that everyone has access to meals, especially during Thanksgiving and the holiday season.
Here are the food box pickup opportunities coordinated by the City of Surprise:
- St. Mary’s Food Bank will distribute meal boxes from November 25-27, between 8 a.m. and noon, at 13050 W Elm St, Surprise, AZ 85378.
- Hope City Church requires pre-registration for pickup on November 27, between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., at 15610 W Greenway Road, Surprise, AZ, 85374.
- The Rock Church will offer pickups on November 23, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., with locations at Eliseo C. Felix High School in Goodyear and Peoria High School in Peoria.
- Vineyard North Phoenix will distribute food boxes on November 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pre-registration is necessary; call 623-934-4000. Address: 6250 W. Peoria Ave, Glendale, AZ, 85302.
The West Valley Community Food Pantry encourages individuals to participate in these events and invites donations to continue supporting their outreach efforts throughout the holidays. For more information or to get involved, visit West Valley Community Food Pantry’s official website.
The efforts of countless organizations working tirelessly to feed the hungry, regardless of religion or race, embody what I consider the most joyful, peaceful, and noble work on Earth. Therefore, on this inclusive Thanksgiving Day in America, I believe everyone should step up to support these worthy causes. At socialmediacaring, we feel honored to assist the inspiring leaders of these initiatives by offering, free of charge, social media posts, carousels, images, Facebook cover pages, and any other support for Thanksgiving Day events that fall under our service offerings. If we can contribute in even the smallest way to these noble efforts, it would be a privilege.
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How Small Acts of Kindness on Thanksgiving Day Can Transform Lives and Spread Joy – Social Media Caring
[…] Organizations like Feeding America ensure food security during the holidays. For more information, read our article: Finding Free Thanksgiving Dinners Near Me. […]