Fort Worth

Where to receive or donate a Thanksgiving meal in Fort Worth. Check out our guide

Turkey With Roasted Garlic Gravy.
Turkey With Roasted Garlic Gravy. The Washington Post

The holidays are not just for family gatherings and receiving gifts. They are also an opportunity to give back to your local community.

Especially with Thanksgiving coming up on Nov. 28, it’s the perfect opportunity to donate to local food drives and charities in any way possible. After all, the holiday’s purpose is to celebrate the blessings of the past year.

Fort Worth has plenty of programs that give away free Turkey dinners. Whether you donate or take advantage of the generosity, here is what you need to know.

Where to donate for Thanksgiving in Fort Worth


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Tarrant Area Food Bank

  • Donations and volunteering opportunities.

  • Donate on the food bank’s website here with any amount of money. “Every $10 you donate will provide food for 100 meals,” says TAFB.

  • You can volunteer to sort and pack food, prepare meals, do community gardening, do food pick-up on Fridays, distribute food distribution at their food pantries, or distribute vouchers at farmers’ markets.

Operation Turkey

  • Volunteers are needed for “Turkey Tailgates,” where they prepare the turkeys for distribution, and “Operation Turkey,” where they distribute the meals.

  • Turkey Tailgate: Nov. 25-27, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Library Bar Fort Worth, Texas, 611 Houston St.

  • Operation Turkey: Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, 8 a.m. to noon at The Library Bar Fort Worth, Texas, 611 Houston St.

  • To volunteer, you must register at www.operationturkey.com/volunteer.

  • If you cannot volunteer, Operation Turkey also has a donation page where you can donate any amount through Venmo or PayPal. You can also bring an in person donation to 1103 Fayette Street, Bastrop.

Fortress Fort Worth

  • Volunteer or buy a Turkey.

  • Volunteers needed: Nov. 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for basket assembly; Nov. 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for basket distribution; Nov. 21 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for basket distribution. Must email remy@fortressfw.org to sign up.

  • Donate here to buy a family a turkey. Just $15 provides one turkey for a family. Donations are accepted until Saturday, Nov. 16, at 9 a.m.

Trinity Episcopal Church Thanksgiving Food Drive

  • Need to restock the shelves at 4Saints and Friends Episcopal Food Pantry.

  • Accepting any donations from the following list:

    • Cans of cranberry sauce

    • Cans of crispy onions (you know, the ones that go on top of green bean casserole!)

    • Gravy mix packets

    • Boxes of spaghetti pasta

    • Boxed cake mix

    • Cans of cake frosting

    • Cookie mix (non-perishable, in bag or box)

    • Bags or boxes of stuffing mix

    • Tea bags (hot or cold)

    • Lemonade mix

  • Drop off items at 3401 Bellaire Drive South in Parish Hall on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Christian Community Assistance Operation Thanksgiving

  • Need donations for thanksgiving baskets:

    • Cans of green beans

    • Cans of cranberry sauce

    • Cans of cream of mushroom soup

    • Package or can of french fried onions

    • Chicken broth

    • Packages of turkey gravy

    • Boxes of stuffing

    • Boxes of mashed potato

    • Boxes of cake mix

    • Canister of frosting

    • 32 ounce bottle of cooking oil

    • $20 gift card from Walmart that will purchase a meal

  • Drop off donations at 1903 W. Bowie St. on Mondays, Thursdays, or Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • You can also sign up here to volunteer at their food and clothing pantries.

  • If you cannot make it in person, there is also an option to donate here.

Where to pick up a free Thanksgiving Dinner in Fort Worth

TABF Thanksgiving meal handouts

  • Denton Thanksgiving Mobile at C.H. Collins Athletic Complex: Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon at 1500 Long Road, Denton.

  • AT&T Stadium Thanksgiving Mobile Distribution: Nov. 21, from 8 a.m. to noon at 1 AT&T Way, Arlington.

Operation Turkey Request a Meal

  • Meal deliveries made on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • “Each plate represents a meal for one individual with traditional Thanksgiving Day foods like turkey, stuffing, and vegetables,” says Operation Turkey.

  • You can request a meal on this form here, until Nov. 22.

  • After completing the form you will get email confirmation on whether or not you have been accepted for a free Thanksgiving meal.

Martin Luther King Community Center

  • 5565 Truman Drive

  • Giving away bags of Thanksgiving food on Nov. 21 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Register here to sign up

Christian Community Assistance Operation Thanksgiving baskets

  • 1903 W. Bowie St.

  • Distributing Thanksgiving baskets from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

  • Call 817-921-9622 to make an appointment.

Atatiana Carr-Jefferson Community Center at Hillside

  • 1201 East Maddox Avenue

  • Hosting a community Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Register here to get your free dinner

This story was originally published November 14, 2024 at 3:54 PM.

Ella Gonzales
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.
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