As Bay Area families make last-minute preparations for their Thanksgiving celebrations, organizations all over the region are also getting ready to provide warm meals to those who are facing difficult moments during the holiday.
“Everyone is welcome to come — it doesn’t matter what zip code you live in or what your situation is,” said Demone Carter, director of community engagement at one of those organizations: Sacred Heart Community Services, a San José-based nonprofit that organizes a food box distribution each Thanksgiving. This year, the group plans to give away food boxes to thousands of families — and has already given away more than 1,300 on Monday alone. All you need to do is show up at the Sacred Heart offices on either Tuesday or Wednesday at the designated time (more below) to claim their box.
Jump straight to where to find Thanksgiving meals in:
Keep reading for a list of more places that are offering either hot meals or food boxes to folks in need this Thanksgiving week.
Keep in mind that not all groups listed below will serve their Thanksgiving meals on Thursday, but rather a day or two before. We’ll continue to update the list as we find more information.
Thanksgiving meals in San Francisco
Martin de Porres House of Hospitality, 225 Potrero Ave.
- A late morning meal will be served on Thanksgiving Day between noon and 2 p.m. Volunteers are also welcome: complete a sign-up form.
St. Anthony’s Dining Room, 121 Golden Gate Ave.
- Turkey, trimmings and fruit crumble will be served on Thanksgiving Day between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. “To go” meals will then be available after 2 p.m.
GLIDE, 330 Ellis St.
- Both breakfast and lunch will be served on Thanksgiving Day: breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., followed by an optional church celebration at 10 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thanksgiving meals in the East Bay
East Oakland Collective, 7800 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland
- Family meal kits will be distributed to 50 families on Wednesday, Nov. 27, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. while supplies last. Advanced reservation is required: Call 510-990-0775 to reserve your meal kit.
CityTeam, 722 Washington St., Oakland
- Warm meals will be served on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A comfortable space to watch football and socialize will also be available, along with free haircuts.
Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, enter either at 1330 Lakeshore Ave. or 1255 First Ave., Oakland
- Warm meals, which include turkey, will be served on Thanksgiving Day between noon and 1:30 p.m. Volunteers are also welcome: complete a sign-up form.
Thanksgiving meals in the South Bay
Sacred Heart Community Service, 1381 S. First St., San José
- Food boxes will be distributed on Tuesday, Nov. 26, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 27, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Boxes will include one of three kinds of protein: turkey, ham, or chicken. No pre-registration is required.
Salvation Army, 359 N. Fourth St., San José
- A warm meal will be served on Wednesday, Nov. 26, for seniors starting at 11:30 a.m. and for everyone else at noon.
CityTeam, 580 Charles St., San José
- Warm meals will be served on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.