For families that struggle to have enough to eat any day of the week, the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays can bring even greater stress as they try to meet the expectations of special and memorable holiday meals.

Fortunately there are places to turn for help. Here are some of the agencies offering a free turkey, ham or boxes of fixings such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberries and more.

In Wichita

Sat. Nov. 19:

Central Community Church, 6100 W. Maple

Thanksgiving Food Bag containing ham and meal fixings will be given free to the first 2,500 vehicles in line. The giveaway begins at 6:30 a.m. and lasts until the meals are gone.

Bread of Life, 1301 E. Galina

Thanksgiving dinner fixings will be distributed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bread of Life. Bring a photo ID and Social Security card. Call (316) 689-6866 for more information.

College Hill United Methodist Church, 2930 E. 21st St.

Pick up a free turkey while supplies last from 9 to 11 a.m. Bring a photo ID if you are new to the Church Pantry. Call (316) 683-4643 for more information.

Mon-Wed, Nov. 21, 22 and 23

United Methodist Open Door Ministry, 2130 E. 21st St.

The Food Ministry will be open from 8:30 to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. each day to distribute Thanksgiving meals. Bring a current ID for each household member along with proof of income and proof of address. Contact UMOD at (316) 267-4201 for more information.

On Thanksgiving Day, Thurs. Nov. 24

Whether you want to pick up a meal to go or sit down and eat, there are choices in Wichita to get a special Thanksgiving meal. 

Bethel Life Center, 3777 S. Meridian

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until supplies run out, Bethel will distribute meals to go. No registration is required. Get more information at (316) 522-7148.

The Lord’s Diner, 520 N. Broadway and 2825 S. Hillside

Special Thanksgiving meals to go or meals to eat in will be served at both locations from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Lord’s Diner Food Trucks will also be available for individuals and families who need to pick up Thanksgiving meals to go. 

Look for them at Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center, 2755 E. 19th St. from 4 to 6 p.m., the Evergreen Neighborhood Resource Center, 2700 N. Woodland from 4 to 5 p.m. and at the Hilltop Community Center, 1329 S. Terrace from 4 to 6 p.m.  Call (316) 266-4966 for more information.

Able and willing to help?

If you are fortunate enough to have the resources to help make a special dinner possible for your neighbors, donations of food and funds are being accepted at the United Methodist Open Door Ministries, 2130 E. 21st St. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday until Nov. 21.

In Kansas City

Thur. Nov. 10, Mt. Sinai MBC, 3635 Brooklyn Ave.

Turkey Giveaway, 10 a.m. to noon. 

Friday, Nov. 11

Registration deadline for Mt. Camel Redevelopment Corporation Inc. Thanksgiving Food Basket, appointments only. Contact Wila Gill at (913) 621-4690

Email: openn@mtcamlelrc.org

Sat. Nov. 12,  Friendship Baptist Church, 3530 Chelsea Dr. #3500

Community Builders Association 4th annual Turkey Giveaway,10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free Turkeys, Free Food, Covid vaccines provided by University Health, Flu shots provided by Walgreens and more.
Is your organization’s effort missing from this list? The Community Voice is happy to add you. Just contact griekspoor@tcvpub.com in Wichita or garza@tcvpub.com in Kansas City.