Thanksgiving 2025: A look at local community meals, charity drives and volunteer options
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, the AFRO has gathered several fun, helpful and engaging events across the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area for families and friends. From free dinner giveaways to volunteer opportunities, there is much to attend this holiday season. Take a look below to see what resources and opportunities to give back are available!
Maryland
Baltimore City Thanksgiving Giveaway
Operation P.U.L.S.E. (People United to Live in a Safe Environment) will host a free Thanksgiving food giveaway to help families be prepared for the holiday. With the ebbs and flows of economic uncertainty and rising grocery costs, this event aims to help families be able to afford a family meal by equipping them with a turkey or ham and boxes of produce. Operation
P.U.L.S.E aims to provide at least 200 Thanksgiving meals and 400 loaves of bread this season.
Date: 11/24/25
Time: 1 p.m. until supplies last
Location: Zion Baptist Church
1600 Harford Ave. Baltimore, Md. 21213
The DPSCS 2nd Annual Turkey Drive
The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) invites the community to attend their Second Annual Turkey Drive to give out turkeys, non-perishable items, gently used clothing, shoes and accessories to those who need it.
Date: 11/25/25
Time: 4–6 p.m.
Location: Calvin B. Scruggs Funeral Home (Front Side)
1412 E. Preston St. Baltimore, Md. 21213
Prince George’s County Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon
Prince George’s County Councilman
Calvin S. Hawkins II, (D-At-Large) in partnership with The City of District Heights invites the community to their Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon. This beloved community tradition will surely be a time of good food, great company and gratitude. Registration for the event is available online. Each registration allows seating for up the registrant and a guest.
Date: 11/24/25
Time: 12–3 p.m.
Location: District Heights Recreation Center
2000 Marbury Drive District Heights, Md. 20747
Virginia
Alexandria
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Franconia UMC (United Methodist Church) will host a free community Thanksgiving dinner in the hopes that all community members will get to enjoy a festive meal this holiday. People who attend will receive a free turkey dinner with all the traditional accompanying dishes.
Date: 11/24/25
Time: 4–6 p.m.
Location: Franconia United Methodist Church
6037 Franconia Road
Alexandria, Va. 22310
Washington, D.C.
Thanksgiving Celebration at the CFRC
The Central Union Mission invites the community to a thanksgiving celebration at its Comprehensive Family Resource Center (CFRC). The event will be a time to get together with your community, enjoy things like Bingo, and dig into a free meal. All community members are welcome.
Date: 11/26/25
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Meals served at 12 noon.)
Location: Comprehensive Family
Resource Center 3194 Bladensburg Road NE Washington, D.C. 20018
Holiday Helpings 2025
The Bread for the City, a non-profit that provides comprehensive services to low-income D.C. residents in need, will host its annual Holiday Helpings program. The program provides culturally inclusive holiday meal kits to D.C. residents navigating food insecurity this holiday season. The program will give 17,000 households their choice of a turkey or chicken, sides and seasonal produce, alongside Asian and Latinx options. To pick up a Thanksgiving meal, recipients must be a D.C. resident and be able to provide identification.
Date: 11/3/25 – 11/25/25 (Mondays through Fridays)
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Northwest Center and Southeast Center (See below for addresses) Northwest Center 1525 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 Southeast Center 1700 Marion Barry Ave. SE Washington, D.C. 20020
Locations for people to volunteer during this holiday season:
Bea Gaddy Family Centers
The Bea Gaddy Family Centers has a range of volunteering opportunities available for the community to help out with. They are looking for motivated, reliable volunteers that can help unload trucks, move supplies into the building before
the Thanksgiving Day meal service, delivery drivers, door monitors and more.
Date: 11/27/25
Time: Varied times depending on role
Location: American Legion Northeastern Post 285 2324 McElderry St. Baltimore, Md. 21205
The 25th Project Thanksgiving Meals
The 25th Project is looking for volunteers who can prepare and deliver meal boxes to individuals without homes in Prince William and Fairfax counties in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Date: 11/27/25
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Burke Community Church (Kitchen) 9900 Old Keene Mill Road Burke, Va. 22015
Courtesy photo
Operation P.U.L.S.E. (People United to Live in a Safe Environment) will host a free food giveaway, providing essential turkey or ham and produce boxes to families navigating economic uncertainty on Nov. 24.
Courtesy photo
The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services’ (DPSCS)
2nd Annual Turkey Drive will offer free turkeys, non-perishable goods and clothing items to the community at Calvin B. Scruggs Funeral Home on Nov. 25.
Courtesy photo
Prince George’s County Councilman Calvin S. Hawkins, II, (D-At-Large) will host the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on Nov. 24 in partnership with The City of District Heights.