Where to Get Free Thanksgiving Dinners in Central New York

If you don't have family to spend Thanksgiving with or can't afford a Thanksgiving dinner, this time of the year can be pretty rough. But there are many places in the area offering free dinners for the holiday.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner - First Presbyterian Church
Date: Thursday, November 23rd, doors open at 11:30am
Location: 1605 Genesee Street, Utica
This is the 39th year they have held their Community Thanksgiving Dinner. There will be two sessions, one at 12pm and another at 1pm. Please call to RSVP: (315) 732-5112.

The Great Thanksgiving Banquet - The Rescue Mission of Utica
Date: Thursday, November 23rd from 11am - 2:30pm
Worship service is at 11am with Thanksgiving dinner to follow at the Rescue Mission of Utica's Mary Tilton Clark Dining Room at 201 Rutger Street.
Meal deliveries are available for those who can't make it out: (315) 735-1645

The Thanksgiving Free Food Give-A-Way - JCP Food Pantry
Date: Monday, November 20th from 3pm - 7:30pm
Location: 1404 West Street, Cornhill, Utica
The Johnson Park Center Food Pantry will be helping low-income families, children, and the elderly with a food giveaway, so Thanksgiving can still happen for those who don't have the money to afford it.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner Hosted By Catholic Charities of Herkimer County
Date: Thursday, November 23rd from 11:30am - 1pm
Location: Annunciation Parish Center in Ilion
Take-out and delivery is also available if you are unable to attend this Thanksgiving dinner. They do ask that you call ahead and let them know you will need a meal. You can contact Rosemary DeLuke at (315) 894-9917 ext. 229.

We will continue to update this post with more businesses, churches, and other organizations that will be offering Thanksgiving dinners to those in need, as the information becomes available. We want to thank all who go out of their way to make sure their neighbors and members in their community do not have to be alone or go without during this holiday. It really shows how giving and caring Central New York is.